Editor-Curated Robotics Industry Briefing - RobotToday

Pony.ai and Verne Launch Fully Driverless Robotaxi Tests in Zagreb, Croatia

Pony.ai and Verne have initiated fully driverless robotaxi tests in Zagreb, Croatia, eliminating the onboard safety operator. The tests cover a 22-kilometer route connecting Verne’s headquarters to Zagreb Airport, utilizing Pony.ai’s seventh-generation Level 4 robotaxi equipped with NVIDIA DRIVE AGX technology. This development is significant as it marks a European first for fully driverless passenger rides, following a partnership announcement with Uber for a commercial robotaxi service. Since the service's launch in April, the fleet has completed over 200,000 kilometers and received an average passenger rating of 4.7 out of 5, indicating strong customer acceptance. Looking ahead, Pony.ai plans to expand the driverless routes in Zagreb over the coming months, aiming to cover the entire operational area in the city. The company is targeting a global fleet of over 3,500 robotaxis by the end of 2026, with a deployment pipeline exceeding 4,000 vehicles, including significant plans with Uber across Europe.