Europe is rapidly advancing in autonomous driving technology and is demonstrating a continental share in the robotaxi market, previously dominated by the US and China. Through a strategic partnership with autonomous driving specialist Pony.ai and operational partner Verne, Uber is making Zagreb the continent's first driverless taxi hub.
Three Giant Names, One Goal: A Driverless Future
The roles in this major project have been clarified: Pony.aiIt provides the 7th generation autonomous driving system, which is the brain of the vehicle; VerneAs the owner of the vehicle fleet, he manages field operations and regulations; Uber By integrating this advanced technology into a global user network, it makes it possible for passengers to call a robotaxi with a single click.
Chinese Technology on the Roads of Zagreb: Arcfox Alpha T5
The robotaxies currently seen in Zagreb are Arcfox Alpha T5 models manufactured by the Chinese state-backed producer BAIC. Pony.ai's latest software is integrated into these vehicles, and intensive safety tests are underway in real traffic conditions. Once these tests are complete, Europe's first paid robotaxi service will officially begin operations.
Target: Thousands of Vehicles and All of Europe
Zagreb is just the starting point for this vision. The partnership anticipates expanding the fleet to thousands of vehicles in the coming years and spreading the service to other European metropolises. Uber is going beyond simply being a platform provider by investing in Verne and supporting this growth.
The competition is heating up in Europe.
Uber's move is triggering competition in the European market. Waymo's London plans, Volkswagen's preparations for Moia, and Uber's Momenta tests in Germany all point to seeing more driverless cars on the streets in the coming years.
