Uber Technologies, in partnership with Croatian fleet operator Verne and Chinese autonomous vehicle firm Pony.ai, launched self-driving rides in Zagreb on Wednesday, marking the first European city to offer such a service via Uber’s platform.
The initial phase will feature vehicles operating with a licensed operator on board to monitor performance as the companies work toward fully autonomous operations. Service availability and geographic coverage are expected to expand over time, with plans to extend the offering to additional European cities.
The collaboration builds on an agreement announced in March between Uber, Verne and Pony.ai to integrate autonomous driving technology into ride-hailing services. Verne serves as the fleet owner and service operator, while Pony.ai provides the autonomous driving system. Uber integrates the service directly into its app, allowing users to book self-driving rides alongside conventional options.
Zagreb’s city center is among the initial areas covered, with broader expansion anticipated as the technology matures and regulatory frameworks align.
