Uber has made a groundbreaking announcement, teaming up with China’s Pony AI and Croatia’s Verne to introduce what they claim will be Europe’s first commercially available robotaxi service. The innovative vehicles are currently undergoing testing in Zagreb, Croatia, where Verne is based, and will soon be accessible to customers through Uber’s ridehail network.
This strategic move by Uber is aimed at safeguarding itself from the potential financial impact of robotaxis potentially surpassing the traditional ridehail industry. Over the past year, the company has forged partnerships with numerous autonomous vehicle developers in a bid to convince investors of its ability to thrive in the impending robotaxi era.
The collaboration with Pony AI, known for operating autonomous vehicles in various Chinese cities, and Verne, a spin-off from renowned supercar manufacturer Rimac, is structured such that Uber will provide the ridehail network and customer base, Verne will oversee fleet management, and Pony AI will be responsible for developing the autonomous driving technology. The initial robotaxi service will debut in Zagreb, with plans to expand to additional European markets. The ultimate objective is to scale the fleet to encompass “thousands of robotaxis” within the next few years.
Presently, the companies are conducting validation tests on the streets of Zagreb utilizing Pony AI’s Arcfox Alpha T5 Robotaxi, featuring the company’s cutting-edge 7th generation technology stack. This vehicle was collaboratively developed and produced with state-owned Beijing Automotive Group Co (BAIC). Once fare charging commences, it is anticipated that this will mark Europe’s inaugural commercial robotaxi service.
Regarding Verne, updates have been relatively scarce since its inception as a robotaxi venture linked to Rimac. Mate Rimac, the founder and CEO of Rimac Group, unveiled a fleet of 60 prototype autonomous vehicles towards the end of last year. The incorporation of these vehicles into Uber’s fleet remains uncertain at this juncture.
This collaboration between Uber, Pony AI, and Verne signifies a significant leap forward in the realm of autonomous transportation, paving the way for Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service. Stay tuned for further updates as this groundbreaking initiative unfolds.