Uber aims to launch Europe’s first robotaxi service with Pony AI and Verne | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersArchivesStoreVerge Product UpdatesSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Uber aims to launch Europe’s first robotaxi service with Pony AI and VerneComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...TransportationCloseTransportationPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TransportationNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsAutonomous CarsCloseAutonomous CarsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Autonomous CarsUber aims to launch Europe’s first robotaxi service with Pony AI and VerneThe companies are already testing autonomous vehicles in Croatia, where they will launch their first commercial service.The companies are already testing autonomous vehicles in Croatia, where they will launch their first commercial service.by Andrew J. HawkinsCloseAndrew J. HawkinsTransportation editorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew J. HawkinsMar 26, 2026, 8:15 AM UTCLinkShareGiftImage: UberAndrew J. HawkinsCloseAndrew J. HawkinsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew J. Hawkins is transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State.Uber is joining forces with two companies, China’s Pony AI and Croatia’s Verne, to launch what it claims will be Europe’s first commercially available robotaxi service. The vehicles are already being tested in Zagreb, Croatia, where Verne is headquartered, and will soon be available to customers on Uber’s ridehail network.The announcement is the latest move by Uber to shield itself from the financial blowback of robotaxis potentially overtaking the traditional ridehail business. The company has allied itself with dozens of autonomous vehicle developers over the past year in an attempt to persuade investors that it can survive the impending robotaxi era.Its latest partners are Pony AI, which is currently operating autonomous vehicles in a number of Chinese cities, and Verne, which spun off of supercar maker Rimac. Under the terms of the deal, Uber will provide the ridehail network, along with the customers; Verne will manage the fleet; and Pony AI will develop the autonomous driving technology. The first service will be in Zagreb, with more European markets to follow. And the ultimate goal is to scale the fleet to “thousands of robotaxis” 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 the companies start charging fares, they anticipate it being Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service.They will have some competition. Waymo has said it intends to launch a robotaxi service in London sometime in 2026. Uber is also testing self-driving cars with Momenta in Germany. And Volkswagen has said it will launch an autonomous ridesharing service under its subsidiary Moia, also in Germany.As for Verne, there haven’t been many updates since it was first announced as a robotaxi side project to Rimac. Mate Rimac, the founder and CEO of Rimac Group, showed off a fleet of 60 prototype autonomous vehicles late last year. Whether those vehicles ever end up in Uber’s fleet, though, is an open question.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Andrew J. HawkinsCloseAndrew J. HawkinsTransportation editorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew J. HawkinsAutonomous CarsCloseAutonomous CarsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Autonomous CarsNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsRide-sharingCloseRide-sharingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Ride-sharingTransportationCloseTransportationPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TransportationUberCloseUberPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All UberMost PopularMost PopularThe United States router ban, explainedSony and Honda ain’t feelin’ the Afeela anymoreSeiko resurrected a 44-year-old digital watch NASA astronauts wore to spaceThe best deals we’ve found from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (so far)Samsung’s Galaxy A57 gets thinner, faster, and more expensiveThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adMore in TransportationThe TSA is broken — is privatization next?Sony and Honda ain’t feelin’ the Afeela anymoreGoogle’s Android Automotive is moving from the dashboard to the ‘brain’ of the carZoox is bringing its robotaxis to Austin and MiamiDonut Lab’s solid-state battery could barely hold a charge after getting damagedIn-hub motors make this humble Hyundai a monster on iceThe TSA is broken — is privatization next?Darryl CampbellMar 25Sony and Honda ain’t feelin’ the Afeela anymoreAndrew J. HawkinsMar 25Google’s Android Automotive is moving from the dashboard to the ‘brain’ of the carAndrew J. HawkinsMar 24Zoox is bringing its robotaxis to Austin and MiamiAndrew J. HawkinsMar 24Donut Lab’s solid-state battery could barely hold a charge after getting damagedAndrew J. HawkinsMar 23In-hub motors make this humble Hyundai a monster on iceTim StevensMar 23Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adTop StoriesMar 25The United States router ban, explainedMar 25Meta and YouTube found negligent in landmark social media addiction caseMar 25Can you monitor a situation without monitors? The Polymarket sports bar triedMar 25Disney’s big bets on the metaverse and AI slop aren’t going so wellMar 25The TSA is broken — is privatization next?Mar 25Live-service games are such a mess even Fortnite is strugglingThe VergeThe Verge logo.FacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSContactTip UsCommunity GuidelinesArchivesAboutEthics StatementHow We Rate and Review ProductsCookie SettingsTerms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie PolicyLicensing FAQAccessibilityPlatform Status© 2026 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Uber, in collaboration with Pony AI and Verne, is pursuing the ambitious goal of launching Europe’s inaugural commercial robotaxi service. This initiative, spearheaded by Andrew J. Hawkins at *The Verge*, represents a strategic maneuver by Uber to mitigate the potential financial risks associated with the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles within the ride-hailing industry. Recognizing the anticipated disruption, Uber has been actively forging alliances with numerous autonomous vehicle developers, aiming to demonstrate its preparedness for the forthcoming robotaxi era and secure investor confidence.

The core of this partnership lies in the division of responsibilities. Uber will furnish the ride-hail network and customer base, Verne will manage the operational fleet of vehicles, while Pony AI will spearhead the development of the autonomous driving technology. Initial testing is underway in Zagreb, Croatia, where Verne is headquartered, utilizing Pony AI’s Arcfox Alpha T5 Robotaxi, a vehicle jointly developed and manufactured with state-owned Beijing Automotive Group Co (BAIC). The technology underpinning the robotaxi utilizes a 7th generation technology stack. The anticipated launch signifies a pivotal moment, potentially establishing Europe as the first region to embrace commercially available robotaxis. Uber’s long-term vision involves scaling the fleet to encompass “thousands of robotaxis” over the next several years, demonstrating a considerable commitment to this emerging transportation sector.

However, this endeavor is not without significant competition. Waymo has announced its intent to introduce a robotaxi service in London by 2026, while Uber itself is engaged in testing autonomous vehicles with Momenta in Germany and Volkswagen’s Moia is preparing an autonomous ridesharing service in Germany. The scale of Verne’s operation initially remains unclear, as the Rimac Group's initial deployment of 60 prototype autonomous vehicles is still in the validation stage.

The project’s success hinges on validating the autonomous driving technology, primarily through data collection and refinement within the Zagreb environment. The initial deployment utilizes Pony AI’s Arcfox Alpha T5 Robotaxi, equipped with the company’s 7th generation technology stack, representing a critical step towards achieving operational readiness. The ultimate goal, as stated by Andrew J. Hawkins, is to transition from testing to commercial fare collection, thereby marking Europe’s first instance of a commercially viable robotaxi service. The venture’s success, however, relies on overcoming challenges anticipated within the autonomous vehicle sector, specifically navigating complex urban environments and maintaining robust safety protocols.