How Pony.ai and Uber plan to scale Robotaxis in Europe
At the centre of the cooperation is the commercial Robotaxi service in Zagreb, which gives the partners a template for further markets.
Pony.ai
Pony.ai and Uber plan to expand their European Robotaxi partnership beyond Zagreb, with more than 2,000 Level 4 vehicles planned for further cities. The model divides technology, platform access and fleet operation between specialised partners and local market operators.
Pony.ai and Uber are expanding their cooperation on autonomous ride-hailing in Europe. Under the agreement, more than 2,000 Robotaxis equipped with Pony.ai’s Level 4 automated-driving technology are planned for European markets. The expansion builds on the partners’ existing project in Zagreb, where Pony.ai provides the autonomous-driving system, Uber contributes access to its mobility platform and Verne acts as local fleet owner and operator.
From the Croatian capital, the partners intend to extend the service to four additional European cities. They have not yet disclosed the locations, launch dates or vehicle allocation. The partnership also includes planned deployments in the Middle East.
Why the operating model matters
At the centre of the cooperation is the commercial Robotaxi service in Zagreb, which gives the partners a template for further markets. Verne acts locally as fleet owner and operator, while the service is also expected to become accessible via the Uber platform.
Pony.ai and Uber now want to transfer this structure to other regions. The model does not rely on one company owning every part of the value chain. Partners can divide technology, platform access, fleet ownership, financing and operation according to local market conditions.
What each partner contributes
Pony.ai provides Level 4 automated-driving technology and experience from previous fleet projects. Vehicles at this automation level can drive without continuous human supervision within defined operating areas. The company says it already runs paid Robotaxi services in several Chinese cities.
Uber contributes booking, payment and customer service through its mobility platform. For the US-based company, the cooperation fits a broader strategy of integrating autonomous vehicles from several technology partners into its ride-hailing marketplace.
This division of responsibilities matters as Robotaxi services move from pilots to larger fleets. The operational model for autonomous ride-hailing has to solve more than the driving task. It also needs local permits, customer interfaces, uptime, maintenance, insurance and clear responsibility for incidents.
Where Level 4 technology fits in
Pony.ai’s planned European services are based on Level 4 automated-driving technology. In practical terms, the vehicle can perform the driving task within a defined operational design domain, such as specific urban districts or approved routes, without permanent human monitoring.
That does not make the system universally autonomous. It still depends on the approved area, traffic conditions, sensor configuration, remote-support processes and regulatory clearance. For European cities, local validation and approval procedures will therefore be central to any rollout.
Pony.ai sees the cooperation with Uber as a way to transfer its technology to larger fleets outside China. Uber, in turn, can add another autonomous technology supplier to its platform strategy. Uber provides the ride-hailing layer, while driving technology and vehicle operation can come from specialised partners.
How the cooperation has developed
The cooperation between Pony.ai and Uber began in May 2025. At that time, the companies announced plans to make Pony.ai’s autonomous vehicles available through the Uber platform in international markets. In 2026, the commercial service in Zagreb followed together with Verne.
The planned fleet of more than 2,000 vehicles now signals a move beyond individual deployments. It also shows how quickly Robotaxi strategies are becoming ecosystem projects rather than isolated technology demonstrations.
For Europe, the next steps will depend on technical integration, regulatory approvals, local operating structures and suitable partners. Pony.ai and Uber have not yet provided details on the four additional European cities, the launch timeline or the specific operating conditions.
The announcement nevertheless adds momentum to broader international Robotaxi networks. As platform providers, technology developers and local fleet operators divide responsibilities more clearly, the market is moving towards scalable structures for autonomous mobility – one city, one approval process and one operating model at a time.
