Phoenix 24
The expanded alliance will build on its commercial service in Zagreb and extend autonomous transportation to four additional European cities.
Zagreb, Croatia, August 14, 2026.— Uber and Chinese autonomous-driving company Pony.ai have announced plans to deploy more than 2,000 robotaxis in Europe as part of an expanded international partnership.
The vehicles will be incorporated into Uber’s ride-hailing platform, allowing passengers in participating markets to request an autonomous journey through the same application currently used for conventional trips.
The expansion follows the introduction of a commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb with Croatian mobility company Verne. Pony.ai supplies the autonomous-driving system, Verne owns and operates the fleet, and Uber provides access to its transportation network.
The Zagreb operation uses Pony.ai’s seventh-generation technology installed in Arcfox Alpha T5 vehicles. Its initial service area covers approximately 90 square kilometers, including central districts and the Croatian capital’s airport.
Under the new agreement, the companies intend to enter four additional European cities, although their identities have not been disclosed. The partnership will also expand into the Middle East, but no detailed deployment calendar has been announced.
Each launch will remain subject to road testing, regulatory authorization and local operating requirements. Europe’s fragmented transportation rules mean approval in one country does not automatically permit unrestricted operation elsewhere.
Robotaxis combine cameras, radar, lidar and other sensors with artificial-intelligence software that identifies road users and controls acceleration, braking and steering. Their developers argue that the technology could improve availability and reduce accidents caused by fatigue or distraction.
Large-scale deployment nevertheless raises questions about cybersecurity, passenger data, liability after collisions and the effect on professional drivers. Authorities will also need transparent evidence showing how the vehicles perform in severe weather, road construction and unpredictable urban environments.
The agreement reflects Uber’s strategy of becoming the distribution platform for several autonomous-driving companies instead of developing a single proprietary system. For Pony.ai, it provides access to European customers and an opportunity to demonstrate that its technology can operate beyond China.
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