Autonomous mobility companies Verne, Pony.ai and Uber announced a partnership on March 26 to launch Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service, with the initial deployment set for Zagreb, Croatia.

The collaboration will combine Pony.ai’s Gen-7 autonomous driving system, Uber’s global ride-hailing platform, and Verne’s operational and service expertise, the companies said in a press release. 

Verne will operate the fleet and manage service logistics, while Uber will integrate the robotaxi service into its existing network, providing a wider customer base. Pony.ai will supply the self-driving technology, which has already reached commercial scale in Chinese cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

On-road testing is already underway in Zagreb, using the Arcfox Alpha T5 Robotaxi. Fare-charging services are being prepared, making the Croatian capital the first European city to host a commercially available robotaxi fleet. Verne will oversee regulatory approvals in Europe and ensure consistent service performance, while Uber plans to invest in Verne as part of the expansion strategy.

“Partnering with Uber and Verne represents an important milestone as we expand autonomous mobility globally,” said Dr. James Peng, CEO of Pony.ai. “By leveraging our experience in China, we are well-positioned to accelerate commercialization internationally.”

Marko Pejkovic, CEO of Verne, said the partnership aims to move autonomous mobility beyond testing into real-world service. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi added that combining proven technology with operational and platform expertise was key to scaling autonomous ride-hailing globally.

The companies plan to scale the service to thousands of robotaxis in the coming years, with potential expansion into other European cities and international markets.

Pony.ai, founded in 2016, develops full-stack autonomous driving solutions. Verne, established in 2019, focuses on operational deployment and regulatory compliance for autonomous ride-hailing, while Uber operates a global platform connecting riders and drivers in over 70 countries.