Uber, Pony.ai, and Verne launched autonomous rides in Zagreb on August 20, 2026, making the Croatian capital the first European city where riders can book a self-driving vehicle through the Uber app2,4,10.
The service is available in key areas of Zagreb, including the city centre, between 07:00 and 21:00. Riders access it by requesting UberX or Comfort in the Uber app; when an autonomous vehicle is available, the app provides vehicle information and trip instructions11. At launch, a licensed operator monitors from the driver's seat as part of a phased introduction, with fully driverless operations planned for a later phase.
The three-way model divides responsibilities: Pony.ai provides its autonomous driving technology, including its Gen-7 Robotaxi system; Verne acts as fleet owner and service operator; and Uber integrates the service into its ride-hailing platform, handling booking, payment, and customer service6. Verne had already launched Europe's first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb in April 2026 and has completed thousands of autonomous rides since then. The August 20 launch integrates that existing Verne operation into Uber's platform.
Pony.ai Founder and CEO James Peng described the Zagreb launch as an example of the joint deployment model. Verne CEO Marko Pejkovic and Uber's Annie Duvnjak both described Zagreb as an important first step for autonomous mobility in Europe.
The Zagreb deployment is the opening move in a broader expansion. Pony.ai and Uber have expanded their strategic partnership — which dates back to May 2025 — to deploy more than 2,000 Pony.ai robotaxis across Europe, extending from Zagreb to four additional European cities, with plans that also include the Middle Eastctx. Pony.ai will supply its Level 4 autonomous driving technology and operational expertise for the expanded footprint.
Pony.ai, founded in 2016, operates paid, fully driverless robotaxi services in China's four tier-one cities and has achieved city-wide breakeven unit economics in multiple markets there. Verne has worked on deploying autonomous ride-hailing in complex urban environments since 2019.
Uber said it expects autonomous vehicles and human drivers to coexist for the foreseeable future, with AVs expanding transport options rather than replacing drivers. All vehicles on the platform must meet applicable regulatory requirements and Uber's safety standards before operating.
ANALYSIS The Zagreb launch establishes a tripartite model — AV technology provider, local fleet operator, and global ride-hailing platform — that the partners intend to replicate across multiple European markets. The structure lets Uber add autonomous supply without owning or operating the vehicles, while Pony.ai gains access to Uber's rider demand without building a consumer-facing app in each new market.
The European debut follows a period of accelerating autonomous-vehicle deployment globally. Zoox recently expanded its fully driverless robotaxi service to San Francisco and Las Vegas ctx, and Uber separately announced a drone-delivery partnership with Zipline targeting one million daily deliveries by 2029 ctx. The Zagreb service adds a European front to what has been a predominantly U.S.- and China-centered robotaxi landscape.