Uber aims to launch Europe’s first robotaxi service using Pony AI and Verne

Uber is teaming up with two companies, China’s Pony AI and Croatia’s Verne, to launch what it claims will be the first commercially available robotaxi service in Europe. The vehicles are already being tested in Zagreb, Croatia, where Verne is headquartered, and will soon be available to customers on Uber’s ride-hailing network.

Advertisement is The last step from Uber To protect itself from the negative financial impacts caused by robo-taxis potentially outpacing the traditional passenger transportation business. The company has allied itself with dozens of self-driving car developers over the past year in an attempt to convince investors that it can survive the imminent era of automated taxis.

Its most recent partners are Pony AI, which is currently operating self-driving vehicles in a number of Chinese cities, and Verne, Which emerged from the supercar maker Rimac. Under the terms of the deal, Uber will provide the ride-hailing network alongside customers; Verne will manage the fleet. Pony AI will develop self-driving technology. The first service will be in Zagreb, followed by more European markets. The ultimate goal is to expand the fleet to “thousands of robotaxis” over the next few years.

Currently, companies are validating the technology on the streets of Zagreb using Pony AI Arcfox Alpha T5 Robotaxiequipped with the Chinese company’s seventh generation technology stack. The vehicle was jointly developed and manufactured with the state-owned Beijing Automotive Group Corporation (BAIC). Once the companies start charging prices, they expect to be the first commercial robotaxi service in Europe.

As for the Verne, there haven’t been many updates since it was first announced as a Robotai side project for Rimac. Matty Rimac, Founder and CEO of Rimac Group, It showcased a fleet of 60 autonomous vehicle prototypes Late last year. However, whether these vehicles will end up in Uber’s fleet is an open question.