Deepening the Autonomous Strategy
The landscape of urban mobility is shifting as Uber officially confirms its strategic investment in Verne, the Zagreb-based robotaxi startup. While the financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, the move cements a partnership that has already begun to transform transport in Croatia. This investment follows a period of close collaboration, during which the two companies successfully integrated their services, allowing users to book autonomous rides directly through the ubiquitous Uber app.
This partnership is no longer just a theoretical roadmap; it is a live, operational service. Since August, riders in Zagreb have been able to hail robotaxis via the Uber platform, and in September, the operation hit a significant milestone with the completion of fully driverless rides covering a 22-kilometer stretch between the airport and the city center. This success caught the attention of Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who visited Zagreb to personally experience the technology, signaling strong corporate backing for Verne’s vision.
Hardware and Future Roadmap
Verne’s strategy is twofold, balancing immediate commercial operations with a long-term hardware play. Currently, the service in Zagreb utilizes Arcfox Alpha T5 vehicles equipped with Pony.ai’s Gen-7 autonomous driving platform. This setup provides the necessary infrastructure to refine user experience and data collection while the company prepares its next phase.
Simultaneously, Verne is developing its own dedicated, ground-up robotaxi vehicle. Designed as an electric two-seater, this custom platform completely abandons the traditional steering wheel and pedals, focusing instead on passenger comfort and utility. Driven by Mobileye Drive technology, the vehicle has already reached a production milestone with the completion of 60 verification prototypes as of late 2025. By building a purpose-built fleet, Verne aims to move beyond retrofitted cars, creating a hardware ecosystem optimized specifically for the autonomous ride-hailing experience.
Why It Matters
- European Expansion: With successful deployments in Zagreb, Verne and Uber are already eyeing further expansion into markets across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
- Platform Synergy: By merging Verne’s specialized autonomous hardware with Uber’s massive user base and app infrastructure, the pair is positioned to challenge traditional taxi services more effectively.
- Purpose-Built Future: The transition from Pony.ai-equipped retrofits to bespoke, wheel-less robotaxis signifies a shift toward dedicated autonomous mobility, prioritizing passenger space over driver ergonomics.
As the collaboration matures, the focus will undoubtedly shift toward scaling these operations into new urban environments. With Uber’s capital and distribution prowess matched against Verne’s proprietary vehicle architecture, the partnership represents one of the most serious efforts to bring driverless, on-demand transport to the European mainstream.
