Verne has launched Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia, allowing the public to book driverless rides via an app [1, 2, 3].
The deployment marks a significant milestone for autonomous transit in Europe, shifting driverless technology from controlled testing environments to a commercial public utility. This move signals a growing appetite for AI-driven urban mobility within the European Union.
Verne, a Croatian autonomous-vehicle company, is backed by Uber Technologies and Pony.ai [1, 2, 3]. The company has deployed 10 self-driving vehicles [1] to operate across an area covering 90 square kilometres [1].
Reports on the exact start date vary. Some sources said the service launched on April 8, 2026 [4], while others said it began operating last month [1, 3]. A press release regarding the partnership was issued on March 26, 2026 [3].
Passengers have given the service high marks, according to a Total-Croatia News reporter [5]. The service is intended to commercialize autonomous-driving technology on a larger scale, with Verne stating plans to expand into the U.S., the United Kingdom, and the Middle East [2, 3].
Verne said, "For the first time in Europe there is a..." commercial robotaxi service [2]. The company aims to establish a blueprint for how driverless fleets can integrate into existing city infrastructure without requiring human operators on board.
“Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb”
The launch in Zagreb establishes Croatia as a primary hub for autonomous vehicle commercialization in Europe. By partnering with global giants like Uber and Pony.ai, Verne is bypassing the slower regulatory hurdles seen in other European capitals. If the Zagreb model proves scalable and safe, it will likely accelerate the adoption of driverless transit across the UK and Middle Eastern markets, potentially disrupting traditional taxi and ride-sharing economics.
