Verne and Pony.ai launch driverless robotaxi tests in Zagreb

Verne and Pony.ai have launched the first fully driverless robotaxi test rides on public roads in Zagreb, Croatia. This milestone marks a European first, moving beyond previous operations that required an onboard safety operator.

The testing takes place on a 22-kilometer route connecting Verne’s headquarters in the Buzin business district to Franjo Tuđman Airport. During this phase, the vehicles are monitored remotely by Verne operators, but no human is present in the cabin to intervene manually. The autonomous system, provided by Pony.ai, utilizes 360-degree sensors and redundant safety layers to manage driving decisions.

This development follows a partnership between Pony.ai, Verne, and Uber announced five months ago. While the current driverless tests are not yet available for commercial booking via apps, the company aims to expand the testing area to cover the entire existing Verne operating zone in Zagreb in the coming months. Verne, a company within Mate Rimac’s ecosystem, manages local operations, while Uber is expected to provide future platform access.