Zagreb is set to become the first city in Europe to introduce a commercial autonomous taxi service. The project is a joint effort between Uber, Pony.ai and Verne.
This marks a major step forward for autonomous mobility on the continent. For the first time, passengers will be able to book driverless taxi rides through a mainstream platform. Users will access the service via the Uber app, with pricing expected to remain comparable to traditional taxi services.
Public road testing is already underway in Zagreb. The initial rollout will be limited to specific zones and operating hours. This phased approach is designed to ensure smooth integration into real-world traffic conditions.
Technology and operations behind the service
Each partner plays a distinct role in delivering the robotaxi service. Uber provides the digital platform and user base. Pony.ai supplies the autonomous driving technology, already proven in large-scale deployments in China. Verne is responsible for fleet operations, local management, and regulatory compliance.
The fleet will consist of Arcfox Alpha T5 vehicles equipped with advanced autonomous systems. These include multiple sensors, cameras, and radar technologies that enable real-time detection of obstacles and traffic participants. The system can also anticipate pedestrian movements and respond accordingly.
Notably, the vehicles are designed to operate without a safety driver. However, safety is reinforced through remote monitoring systems and dedicated response teams that can intervene if necessary.
Regulation and safety at the core
Croatian authorities have already approved the project, covering traffic laws, safety requirements, and data protection standards. This regulatory backing is essential for the deployment of autonomous vehicles in public transport systems.
Safety remains a central focus. The vehicles continuously analyze their surroundings and adapt to changing traffic conditions. This reduces the likelihood of human error, which is a leading cause of road incidents.
From Zagreb to the rest of Europe
Zagreb was selected due to its balanced urban density and strong tourism sector. These factors make it an ideal environment to test real-world demand for robotaxi services.
The long-term goal is expansion beyond Croatia. Uber is already investing in Verne to support future growth and scaling of the service.
For comparison, one of the most well-known robotaxi services globally is operated by Waymo in San Francisco. However, Europe has so far lacked a comparable commercial deployment.
If successful, the Zagreb initiative could become a blueprint for introducing autonomous taxi services across European cities.
