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New Europe robotaxi launch in Zagreb
Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service is set to launch in Zagreb, Croatia, as Uber teams with Pony.ai and Verne in a three-way partnership.
“The three companies announced plans Thursday to launch a commercial robotaxi service in Europe, starting in Zagreb, Croatia.”
The companies announced plans to bring a commercial robotaxi service to Europe, starting in Zagreb, with Pony.ai supplying the autonomous driving system on the Arcfox Alpha T5 developed with BAIC; Verne will own and operate the fleet while Uber integrates the service into its global ride-hailing network.
On-road testing is already underway in Zagreb as preparations continue for fare-charging and a broader rollout across Europe, with a goal of thousands of robotaxis in coming years.
The move positions Zagreb as the inaugural city for Europe’s commercial robotaxi rollout, with ambitions to scale across additional European markets in the years ahead.
Role assignment and tech stack
Pony.ai will provide its seventh-generation autonomous driving system, deployed on the Arcfox Alpha T5 built with BAIC, for the Zagreb pilots.
Verne will serve as fleet owner and service operator, handling day-to-day operations and regulatory readiness in Europe.
Uber will supply its global ride-hailing network and customer base, integrating the robotaxi service into its platform alongside Verne’s own app.
Initial road testing is underway in Zagreb, marking the prelude to a commercial launch as fare charging is prepared.
Scale, investment, and European rollout
The partnership envisions scaling to thousands of robotaxis across Europe over the next few years, with Zagreb as the entry point and expansion into other European cities.
“The ultimate goal is to scale the fleet to 'thousands of robotaxis' over the next few years.”
Uber has signaled it will invest in Verne to support future growth, aligning with its broader strategy to build an autonomous mobility network through external partnerships rather than internal tech development.
Zagreb is positioned as Europe’s first market for a commercial robotaxi rollout, with Verne coordinating regulatory approvals and interoperability across markets.
Industry observers note Verne has been building a pan-European footprint, including plans for a Lučko-area factory to produce two-seat autonomous pods and to help drive expansion.
Context, competition, and regulation
This Zagreb move sits alongside broader global robotaxi ambitions, with Waymo signaling a London rollout in 2026 and Uber pursuing a strategy of external partnerships to de-risk autonomous mobility expansion.
The Verge notes Waymo’s London plans as a competing European deployment, while The Next Web highlights Waymo’s London trajectory and Uber’s broader external-partner approach.
Analysts point to Europe’s regulatory environment as a critical factor in the rollout, including market readiness for fare-charging models and cross-border service interoperability.
The Zagreb testbed therefore becomes a practical signal of whether European regulators will accommodate large-scale autonomous ride-hailing through multi-market platforms, potentially setting a template for future EU expansions.