Overview
- Uber integrated autonomous vehicles into its app for the first time in Europe after the Zagreb launch that began on August 19, 2026, letting riders request robotaxis through UberX and Comfort.
- Vehicles currently operate with licensed safety operators seated inside as part of a phased rollout that will only remove onboard staff after regulators and the companies validate safety and operations.
- The service runs on Pony.ai’s Gen‑7 driving stack with Verne owning and running the local fleet while Uber handles booking, payments and customer experience.
- Markets responded positively to the launch with Uber shares rising about 4.7 percent, and the partners say they plan to expand to more European cities and the Middle East as approvals and testing permit.
- The deployment follows Verne’s standalone robotaxi service in Zagreb and reflects Uber’s post‑ATG strategy of partnering for autonomous tech rather than developing it in house.