Rimac-owned Verne is teaming up with Pony.ai and Uber to launch what could become Europe's first commercial robotaxi service, starting in Zagreb, Croatia.

The partnership brings together three players with distinct roles: Pony.ai supplies the autonomous driving technology and hardware, Uber provides booking infrastructure and an undisclosed investment, and Verne acts as fleet owner and service operator. The arrangement is non-exclusive — Verne will run its own customer platform alongside the Uber app.

Road testing is already underway in Zagreb using Arcfox Alpha T5 vehicles equipped with Pony.ai's Gen-7 autonomous driving system. The commercial launch is targeted for 2026, pending regulatory clearance.

The announcement marks a notable pivot for Verne. When Rimac founder Mate Rimac unveiled the project in 2024, he outlined a vertically integrated model using Mobileye's technology and a proprietary booking app. The shift to Pony.ai's system — and Uber's platform — signals a more pragmatic approach to getting the service live.

Verne's purpose-built two-seat robotaxi has no steering wheel and no pedals. After Zagreb, the company plans to expand to the UK and Germany, with further rollout across Europe and the Middle East.

Croatia's capital is set to be a proving ground for European autonomous mobility regulation, which has historically moved slower than the US and China. If the launch proceeds on schedule, Zagreb would beat London and Berlin to become the first city on the continent with a fully driverless commercial ride-hailing service.

Pony.ai recently reported its first GAAP profit and has been accelerating international expansion following its Nasdaq listing.