Mate Rimac's robotaxi project faces failure over level five autonomy requirement

robotaxi Mate Rimac autonomous vehicles EU funds Project 3 Mobility

Mate Rimac’s company, Project 3 Mobility (Verne), is facing a potential crisis as it nears the August 31 deadline for its robotaxi project. Reports indicate the company has failed to meet a critical requirement: the production of a fully autonomous level five vehicle. While robotaxis are currently operating in Zagreb through partnerships with Uber and Pony.ai, these vehicles utilize level four autonomy rather than the level five technology mandated by the project's funding agreement.

The project was approved for 179.5 million euros in European Union funds via the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. To date, 89.9 million euros have been paid out to the company, though only 8.7 million euros have been officially justified as costs. Consequently, the company may be required to return significant portions of the disbursed funds. The Croatian Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure is awaiting final documentation and proof of execution to determine the next steps.

Entities

European Union · Mate Rimac · Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure · Project 3 Mobility · Verne · Zagreb

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Current robotaxis in Zagreb use level four autonomy, not level five. www.monitor.hr · radiosarajevo.ba · lider.mk
[● 9 SOURCES] Project 3 Mobility (Verne) failed to meet the key condition for its robotaxi project. www.zagorje.com · www.24sata.hr · www.monitor.hr · radiosarajevo.ba · tip.ba · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The project deadline is August 31. www.zagorje.com · www.24sata.hr · www.monitor.hr · radiosarajevo.ba · tip.ba · +4 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Only 8.7 million euros of the paid funds have been justified as costs so far. www.24sata.hr · www.monitor.hr · radiosarajevo.ba · www.index.hr · lider.mk · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The project required the production of a level five autonomous vehicle. www.zagorje.com · www.24sata.hr · www.monitor.hr · radiosarajevo.ba · tip.ba · +4 more
[● 7 SOURCES] 89.9 million euros have been paid out to Project 3 Mobility so far. www.24sata.hr · www.monitor.hr · radiosarajevo.ba · tip.ba · www.index.hr · +2 more
[● 9 SOURCES] A total of 179.5 million euros in EU funds was approved for the project. www.zagorje.com · www.24sata.hr · www.monitor.hr · radiosarajevo.ba · tip.ba · +4 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The company may be required to return tens of millions of euros. www.zagorje.com · tip.ba · www.vecernji.ba · lider.mk · off.net.mk · +2 more