Uber, Verne and Pony.ai debut autonomous rides in Zagreb, the first European city to book them via Uber’s app.
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| Source: Techmeme | Original article
Uber, Verne and Pony.ai have launched autonomous rides in Zagreb, making it the first European city where riders can book driverless trips through Uber’s app.
Uber has teamed up with autonomous‑vehicle specialists Verne and Pony.ai to roll out driver‑less rides in Zagreb, marking the Croatian capital as the first European city where passengers can summon a self‑driving car directly through the Uber app.
The launch, announced on Wednesday, signals a concrete step toward mainstreaming autonomous mobility on the continent. By integrating the service into Uber’s existing platform, the trio bypasses the need for a separate booking system, making the technology accessible to the millions of Uber users already familiar with the app. The partnership also demonstrates that European regulators are willing to grant operational permits for fully driverless fleets, a hurdle that has slowed similar projects elsewhere.
Industry observers note that the rollout could accelerate competition among autonomous‑vehicle firms seeking footholds in dense urban markets. If the Zagreb pilot proves reliable and attracts sufficient rider demand, other European cities may follow suit, prompting a cascade of regulatory reviews and infrastructure adjustments such as dedicated pick‑up zones and updated traffic‑management protocols.
What to watch next: data on ride‑completion rates, safety incidents and user satisfaction will be closely monitored by both local authorities and the broader mobility sector. Uber, Verne and Pony.ai have not disclosed fleet size or pricing, but future announcements may reveal expansion plans to additional European hubs, as well as potential collaborations with municipal transport agencies. The success of Zagreb’s service will likely shape the pace at which autonomous ride‑hailing becomes a regular option across the region.
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