With the support of Verne, Uber Technologies, Inc. and the autonomous driving technology specialist Pony.ai, Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service has been launched in the Croatian capital Zagreb. After years of testing and regulatory preparations, passengers can now book and pay for autonomous cab rides – a milestone for the mobility of the future on the continent.
Highlights
- Robotaxi service officially available to the public in Zagreb.
- Use of autonomous vehicles with technology from Pony.ai.
- Booking currently possible via the Verne app, soon also via Uber.
- Service initially with safety drivers, full autonomy planned.
New era of urban mobility
After years of development and intensive test drives, Europe’s first commercially available robotaxi service is now a reality, as reported by Automobilwoche. In Zagreb, users can book autonomous rides through the city and experience how self-driving technology works in everyday life. The robotaxis use the seventh generation of Pony.ai’s autonomous driving system, which is already in use in other international markets and is now commercially available in Europe for the first time.
The vehicles are electrically powered and are currently still operated by so-called safety drivers – people who are present in the vehicle to intervene if necessary. This approach is a common transitional step from pilot projects to fully autonomous services, as it offers additional safety and regulatory flexibility. In the long term, operators plan to run the service completely without human drivers as soon as the relevant permits have been obtained and the technology achieves this level of reliability.
Robotaxi rides are currently booked via the Verne app. In the coming weeks, it should also be possible to use the service via the widely used Uber app, which will significantly increase the reach of the service and at the same time mark Uber’s entry into autonomous driving in Europe. The collaboration between Verne, Uber and Pony.ai combines Verne’s local fleet expertise, Uber’s platform reach and Pony.ai’s autonomous technology to create a service that could become the standard in many European cities.
Looking ahead
The robotaxi service in Zagreb is seen as a test case and pioneer for a larger network in Europe. The partners plan to deploy several thousand autonomous vehicles in the coming years and expand the service to other cities in the EU. Talks are already underway with local authorities and potential new locations to make the service available beyond Croatia.
In parallel to this project, other companies are also working on robotaxi services in Europe, catapulting the continent into a global race for autonomous mobility. However, there are still a number of regulatory hurdles and technical challenges to overcome before full autonomy and a nationwide service can be achieved.
Conclusion
With the launch of the first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, Europe is setting an important milestone in the mobility of the future. The combination of autonomous technology, digital booking and sustainable e-mobility shows what urban transport services could look like in the coming years. Prices are based on existing cab and ride-hailing services and availability will initially be tested in selected parts of the city before the service is expanded.
