Pony.ai and Uber to Deploy 2,000 Robotaxis in Europe

Pony.ai and Uber are expanding their partnership to deploy more than 2,000 robotaxis across five European cities and eventually into the Middle East, the companies announced on August 14, 2026. The deal builds on an existing commercial service in Zagreb, Croatia, and marks a significant step in bringing Chinese autonomous driving technology to European streets through a familiar ride-hailing platform.

The expansion will extend the service to four additional European cities beyond Zagreb, though the specific locations have not been disclosed. The companies did not provide a timeline for the full rollout. Under the joint model, Pony.ai supplies its Level 4 autonomous driving technology, which allows the vehicle to handle all driving tasks in defined conditions without human input. Uber provides its global mobility platform for booking, payments, and customer service, while local fleet partners manage on-the-ground operations and own the vehicles.

The partnership first began in May 2025, with the initial commercial service launching in Zagreb in partnership with local operator Verne. This structure allows Pony.ai to enter new markets without building its own consumer-facing app or...