Uber Partners for Europe's First Robotaxi in Zagreb

Uber Technologies, in partnership with Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.ai and Croatian startup Verne, announced plans Thursday to launch Europe's first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia. The initiative marks a significant step for autonomous transportation on the continent, with on-road testing already underway using Pony.ai's seventh-generation technology.

The service will operate on the Arcfox Alpha T5, a robotaxi vehicle produced by Chinese automaker BAIC and incorporating Huawei systems. Verne will manage fleet ownership, day-to-day operations, and regulatory approvals across Europe, while integrating the rides into both its own app and Uber's global ride-hailing platform. Uber has committed to investing in Verne as a strategic partner to support expansion. The companies aim to scale the fleet to thousands of vehicles in Zagreb over the next few years, with rollout planned for additional European cities, including priorities in the UK and Germany.

This partnership aligns with Uber's broader strategy of collaborating with external autonomous vehicle developers rather than building its own technology. The company sold its in-house self-driving unit to Aurora...