Uber aims to launch Europe’s first robotaxi service with Pony AI and Verne

Uber is teaming up with two companies, China’s Pony AI and Croatia’s Verne, to launch what it says will be the first commercially available robotaxi service in Europe. The vehicles are already being tested in Zagreb, Croatia, where Verne is headquartered, and will soon be available to customers on Uber’s ride-sharing network.

The announcement is the latest move by Uber to protect itself from the financial downside of robotaxis that could overtake the traditional ride-sharing industry. The company has joined forces with dozens of autonomous vehicle developers over the past year to try to persuade investors that it can survive the looming era of robo-taxis.

Its latest partners are Pony AI, which currently operates autonomous vehicles in several Chinese cities, and Verne, from supercar manufacturer Rimac. Under the terms of the agreement, Uber will provide the ride-sharing network, as well as the customers; Verne will manage the fleet; and Pony AI will develop autonomous driving technology. The first service will take place in Zagreb, with other European markets to follow. And the ultimate goal is to scale the fleet to “thousands of robo-taxis” over the next few years.

Currently, the companies are validating the technology on the streets of Zagreb using Pony AI’s Arcfox Alpha T5 robotaxi, equipped with the Chinese company’s 7th generation technology stack. The vehicle was jointly developed and manufactured with state-owned Beijing Automotive Group Co (BAIC). Once companies start charging fares, they expect it to be the first commercial robotaxi service in Europe.

As for Verne, there haven’t been many updates since he was first announced as a robotaxi side project in Rimac. Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of Rimac Group, presented a fleet of 60 autonomous vehicle prototypes late last year. The question of whether these vehicles will one day find their way into Uber’s fleet, however, remains open.