Uber’s First European AV Rides Go Live in Zagreb, with a Safety Driver
Riders in Zagreb can now book an autonomous car through the Uber app—the first time Uber has offered AVs (Autonomous Vehicles) in Europe. The technology is provided by Pony.ai, and the fleet is managed by Verne, with a safety operator still present behind the wheel.
Key Takeaways:
- First European Launch: Uber has started offering autonomous rides in Europe, beginning in Zagreb, Croatia.
- Partnership: The service is a collaboration between Uber, Pony.ai, and Verne.
- Phased Rollout: While the cars are driverless, a licensed safety operator monitors each ride, with plans for fully autonomous operation later.
- Expansion Plans: The service will expand to other European cities, with specific locations to be named later this year.
- Existing Service: Verne already operates Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, having completed thousands of rides since April.
Background:
Uber aims to bring autonomous vehicles to millions of riders and establish itself as the world’s largest platform for AV deployment. This strategy aligns with its previous decision to sell its self-driving unit and partner with various operators worldwide.
Marko Pejkovic, Verne’s CEO, sees this milestone as significant for Croatia and his company, as the daily operations in Zagreb will facilitate Verne’s expansion to other European cities.
Pony.ai, a Chinese company listed in New York and Hong Kong, is introducing its Gen-7 robotaxi system to Europe, having mostly deployed it domestically so far.