Zagreb just made history. A small Croatian city beat London, Berlin, and Paris to become the first place in Europe where anyone can hail a driverless cab and pay for the ride. No test programme. No invite-only pilot. A real commercial service, open to the public, starting today.
How Verne Made This Moment Happen
Verne, a Croatian autonomous mobility company spun out of electric hypercar maker Rimac, is the name behind this landmark launch.1 That origin story matters. The company was spun out of Rimac Group, which is based in the Croatian capital and has spent years in discussions with local regulators.1 That long groundwork with authorities is precisely what allowed Zagreb to cross the finish line ahead of far bigger, far wealthier cities.
Since 2019, the team has worked on deploying autonomous ride-hailing in complex urban environments through operations, integration, and regulatory enablement.2 That is seven years of quiet, patient work that most people never saw coming.
This is not a prototype. This is not a closed trial. People in Zagreb can book and pay for an autonomous ride right now.
Verne autonomous robotaxi service launch Zagreb Croatia 2026
What the Service Actually Looks Like
The vehicles in service are Arcfox Alpha T5 robotaxis equipped with Pony.ai’s seventh-generation autonomous driving system.3
Here is what riders can expect from day one:
- The service operates daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., initially spanning approximately 90 square kilometres across the wider Zagreb city centre, including Zagreb Airport.5
- In the first period, the fixed price of the ride will be 1.99 euros.6
- Vehicles can accommodate up to two passengers.6
- Users who have signed up to the waiting list can book and pay for rides through the Verne app. To begin with, only those on the waiting list will have access, who will receive instructions by email for downloading the app and ordering rides.6
The initial commercial deployment uses electric vehicles equipped with Pony.ai’s seventh-generation autonomous driving system, and these vehicles operate autonomously with trained autonomous vehicle operators onboard during the early phase of the rollout.7 The safety operators are there as a regulatory requirement for now, not because the technology needs hand-holding.
The electric vehicle provides the necessary technical prerequisites and is based on a modern 800-volt architecture. At dedicated DC fast-charging stations in the depots, the vehicles can recharge enough power for over 250 kilometres of range in approximately ten minutes.4
The Three-Way Power Play Behind It
This launch is not a solo act. The three companies plan to collaborate on the deployment of a commercial robotaxi service, combining Pony.ai’s autonomous driving system, Uber’s global mobility platform, and Verne’s service ecosystem and operational framework.2
Each player has a clearly defined role:
| Partner | Role |
|---|---|
| Pony.ai | Autonomous driving technology and Gen-7 system |
| Verne | Fleet owner, service operator, regulatory execution |
| Uber | Global ride-hailing platform integration |
The service will shortly also be available through the Uber platform, following the three-way partnership announced on 26 March between Verne, Pony.ai, and Uber.3 That means riders will soon be able to open their existing Uber app in Zagreb and find a robotaxi sitting right alongside regular driver-operated cars.
As part of the partnership, Uber intends to invest in Verne and support future expansion as a strategic partner.2 Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi put it plainly: “By bringing together Pony.ai’s proven autonomous driving technology, Verne’s operational and market expertise, and Uber’s global platform, we’re taking an important step toward making autonomous ride-hailing available to more riders in more places.”2
For Pony.ai, the stakes are equally high. The launch follows Pony.ai’s recent Gen-7 unit economics breakeven milestones in two of China’s tier-one cities, validating the commercial readiness of its technology and business model.5 Pony.ai expects its dual-engine strategy and joint-deployment model to continue driving fleet growth, supporting its goal of reaching 3,000 vehicles in its fleet by the end of this year.5
What Comes Next for Europe
Zagreb is just the opening move. Verne has begun permitting discussions with 11 cities across the EU, UK, and the Middle East, with more than 30 additional cities currently under consideration.7
The company has a factory near Zagreb that is expected to begin producing its own purpose-built robotaxi this year, a compact two-seat vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, designed from the ground up for driverless ride-hailing.3 Verne’s current service uses Pony.ai’s technology rather than its own platform, which is still in development. The company originally planned to use Mobileye’s autonomous driving system before switching to Pony.ai ahead of the launch.3
The competitive picture across Europe is sharpening fast.
In January, US company Waymo announced its intention to launch a fully driverless ride-hailing service in London by the fourth quarter of 2026.7 Meanwhile, Pony.ai also received approval from Singaporean regulators to launch an invite-only autonomous ride-hailing service, marking the final stage before a public roll-out.8
Uber’s European robotaxi launch with Pony.ai and Verne is not just about expanding into new markets. It is about survival, as autonomous vehicle technology matures and the ride-hailing giant races to embed itself as the essential platform layer before self-driving companies decide they do not need middlemen.9
The full transition to completely driverless operations is still ahead. The companies aim to transition to fully driverless operations as soon as possible, subject to regulatory approvals and the service meeting required safety and reliability standards.7 But the direction of travel is unmistakable.
History has a habit of starting somewhere unexpected. The internet age began in a university lab. The smartphone era started with one device. And Europe’s self-driving revolution, it turns out, began not in London or Berlin, but in Zagreb, Croatia. Whether this moment becomes a footnote or a turning point depends on what comes next, and right now, every sign points to what comes next happening fast. Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let us know whether you would trust a robotaxi with your morning commute.
