Zagreb now hosts Europe’s first fully driverless robotaxi service, operated by Pony.ai and Verne with rides booked via Uber—demonstrating a pioneering step in autonomous transport on the continent.
- First European fully driverless robotaxi with no driver onboard.
- Service runs on Chinese-made Arcfox Alpha T5 cars with Pony.ai tech.
- Expansion challenged by EU approval limits and national regulations.
What happened
Pony.ai and Verne have launched Europe’s first fully driverless robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia. Operating without anyone in the driver’s seat, the rides run on a preset 22km route linking key points such as Verne’s headquarters, a central business district, and the city airport. Passengers can book rides seamlessly through the Uber app, which manages service bookings.
The vehicles used are Chinese-made Arcfox Alpha T5 crossovers equipped with Pony.ai’s seventh-generation autonomous driving system. This system takes full control of the vehicle’s steering, braking, and acceleration, supported by a comprehensive array of redundant 360-degree sensors. Verne monitors the cars remotely for safety and operational oversight.
Why it matters
This launch represents a first in Europe: a commercial robotaxi service operating with no safety driver on board, contrasting with other robotaxi initiatives like those in London which still require human supervision in the driver’s seat. It highlights the technological maturity of Pony.ai’s autonomous driving capabilities and signifies concrete progress for driverless urban mobility.
What to watch next
Another important area to watch is the rollout of autonomous mobility solutions by other providers in Europe, including WeRide's scheduled entry into Denmark in 2027. The Zagreb example offers a practical benchmark for the complex interplay of technology, safety, regulation, and market adoption essential for scaling autonomous transport continent-wide.