Verne and Pony.ai launch driverless robotaxi service in Zagreb

Verne and Pony.ai have launched a fully driverless robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia, marking a significant milestone for autonomous transport in Europe. Unlike previous testing phases that utilized safety operators behind the wheel, these new trials involve vehicles operating entirely without a human driver or onboard safety operator.

The service operates on a 22-kilometer route connecting Verne’s headquarters, the central business district, and Franjo Tuđman Airport. The vehicles, based on the Arcfox Alpha T5 crossover model, utilize Pony.ai’s seventh-generation autonomous driving technology and 360-degree sensor systems to navigate public traffic. To optimize passenger space, the front passenger seat has been replaced with a large screen.

While the project aims to eventually deploy over 2,000 robotaxis across Europe, regulatory hurdles remain. Current European Union legislation limits small-series production approvals to 1,500 vehicles per year, which may complicate large-scale cross-border expansion. Currently, the Zagreb operation functions under Croatian national regulations.