#Zagreb #Croatia #Robotaxi #Pony.ai #Verne

A New Era in Autonomous Mobility: Fully Driverless Robotaxi Test Rides in Zagreb

On September 10, 2026, Pony AI Inc., a prominent player in the field of autonomous driving technology, in collaboration with Verne, launched the first fully driverless Robotaxi test rides on public roads in Zagreb, Croatia. This event marks a groundbreaking achievement in Europe, setting the stage for the future of driverless transportation.

The test rides cover a route stretching 22 kilometers, connecting Verne’s headquarters to one of Zagreb’s primary business districts and the Franjo Tuđman Airport. This ambitious project aligns with Pony.ai’s vision of expanding its autonomous services in Europe, further enhancing the feasibility and efficiency of urban mobility.

Five months earlier, Pony.ai, Verne, and Uber announced their partnership aimed at implementing Europe’s inaugural Robotaxi service. In just a short period, the Robotaxi fleet operationalized by Verne has successfully logged over 200,000 kilometers, completing thousands of rides with a commendable average passenger satisfaction rating of 4.7 out of 5.

Transitioning from operations that required an onboard operator for autonomous vehicles to fully driverless testing signifies a pivotal moment for both Pony.ai and Verne. This initiative not only showcases Pony.ai’s technological capabilities refined through experiences in the Chinese market but also highlights Verne’s operational readiness to navigate the regulatory landscape.

“Fully driverless passenger rides in Zagreb signify an important step in Pony.ai’s international growth,” stated Dr. James Peng, Founder and CEO of Pony.ai. “The collaboration with Verne exemplifies how our technology synergizes with local expertise to establish a scalable commercial path.” Marko Pejković, CEO of Verne, echoed the sentiment, affirming that transitioning to fully driverless operations advances the company’s goals in scaling autonomous mobility across Europe.

The Robotaxi utilized in these test rides is the latest seventh-generation model from Pony.ai, equipped with advanced features and powered by a state-of-the-art L4 domain controller built on the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX platform. This vehicle employs a sophisticated safety architecture that combines comprehensive 360-degree sensor coverage with redundant systems, ensuring operational integrity even in complex urban environments. The design and technology have been rigorously validated through successful deployments in various Chinese cities.

The test rides are conducted in strict accordance with Croatian regulations, having obtained all necessary approvals for conducting autonomous vehicle testing carrying passengers on public roads. This initiative reflects Pony.ai’s commitment to adhering to regulatory frameworks while pushing the boundaries of innovation in the autonomous driving space.

Furthermore, this project represents significant strides towards Pony.ai’s “dual-engine” growth strategy, which aims to propel the adoption of its Robotaxi services in both its native China and international markets. The adaptability of this deployment model allows various partnerships to be formed based on local needs, ensuring efficient scalability. With plans underway to introduce an additional 4,000 Robotaxis, including over 2,000 vehicles in collaboration with Uber across Europe, Pony.ai aims to expand its global fleet to surpass 3,500 Robotaxis by the end of 2026, covering over 20 cities worldwide.

As cities evolve and embrace automation, Pony.ai and Verne's initiative in Zagreb symbolizes just the beginning of a revolutionary shift in urban transportation. With commitment to technology and safety, the full realization of autonomous mobility is not just a dream; it is becoming an achievable reality for millions.

About Pony.ai

Pony AI Inc. stands at the forefront of autonomous mobility commercialization, harnessing a vehicle-agnostic Virtual Driver technology. By integrating proprietary software, hardware, and services, Pony.ai is pioneering a sustainable model for mass production and deployment across various transportation applications. Established in 2016, the company has expanded its reach across China, Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East, ensuring the widespread availability of its advanced technology.

About Verne

Verne, named after the visionary Jules Verne, aims to create the operational foundation for autonomous mobility across Europe and beyond. With a focus on deploying ride-hailing services in intricate urban landscapes, Verne has been effectively contributing to the realization of everyday autonomous transport since its inception in 2019. The recent launch of Europe's first Robotaxi service signifies a giant leap towards making autonomous mobility a ubiquitous aspect of modern life.