Pony.ai has partnered with Verne to initiate fully driverless Robotaxi test rides on public roads in Zagreb, marking a significant milestone in Europe. This initiative represents a crucial advancement towards fully autonomous commercial operations, with test rides occurring along a 22-kilometer route connecting Verne’s headquarters and Franjo Tuđman Airport Zagreb.
The collaboration is noteworthy as it follows the announcement of a partnership between Pony.ai, Verne, and Uber to establish Europe’s first commercial Robotaxi service. Since its launch in early April, the service has successfully completed over 200,000 kilometers and thousands of rides, achieving a commendable average passenger rating of 4.7 out of 5. This transition from operations with an onboard AV operator to fully driverless testing is a significant development for both companies.
Looking ahead, Pony.ai and Verne plan to expand the fully driverless routes in Zagreb to cover the entire operating area. Dr. James Peng, founder and CEO of Pony.ai, emphasized the importance of this initiative for international growth and the potential for scaling fully driverless mobility across Europe and beyond. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Editor's Note
The launch of fully driverless Robotaxi trials in Zagreb by Pony.ai and Verne highlights a pivotal moment in the European autonomous vehicle landscape. As companies navigate regulatory frameworks and operational challenges, this initiative could set a precedent for future deployments across the continent. The collaboration with Uber also underscores the importance of partnerships in advancing autonomous mobility solutions.
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