Verne and Pony.ai Launch Europe's First Fully Driverless Robotaxi Passenger Test

Rimac-backed autonomous mobility startup Verne, in partnership with Pony.ai, has launched Europe's first fully driverless passenger testing on public roads in Zagreb, Croatia. Passengers can book rides via the Uber app along a 22-kilometer route connecting Verne headquarters, downtown Zagreb, and Zagreb Airport without an in-vehicle safety driver. Removing safety drivers marks a critical milestone for commercial autonomous transport in Europe, aligning the region with driverless deployments in the US and China. It demonstrates how autonomous vehicle tech stack providers and mobility services can integrate directly into existing ride-hailing networks like Uber. The testing uses modified Arcfox Alpha T5 electric crossovers driven by Pony.ai's autonomous system while Verne provides remote vehicle monitoring. The vehicles feature a customized interior with the front passenger seat removed to provide extra legroom, additional luggage space, and a large passenger entertainment display.