Uber has launched autonomous vehicle (AV) rides in Europe, allowing customers in Zagreb, Croatia, to book self-driving journeys through its app for the first time.
The service is powered by autonomous driving technology from Pony.ai and operated by mobility company Verne. It marks the first deployment of autonomous rides on the Uber platform in Europe.
Uber said rides will initially be available in key areas of Zagreb including the city centre and it will expand coverage over time. During the launch phase, a licensed operator will remain behind the wheel to monitor journeys before the service switches to fully driverless operations.
Under the partnership, Pony.ai supplies the autonomous driving technology, Verne owns and operates the fleet, and Uber integrates the vehicles into its ride-hailing platform.
Uber said all AVs operating on its platform must meet regulatory requirements and the company’s own safety standards before entering service. It added that AVs and human drivers will coexist for the foreseeable future, with autonomous vehicles expanding transport options rather than replacing conventional ride-hailing services.
Customers can request an AV ride by selecting UberX or Comfort in the Uber app. When an autonomous vehicle is available, the app will notify the rider and provide instructions for beginning and completing the journey.
Uber said Zagreb will serve as the first market under its partnership with Pony.ai and Verne, with plans to expand the model to additional European cities. Further launch locations are expected to be announced later this year.
In May, Uber rolled out AV rides in selected areas of cities in the US including Atlanta, Austin, and Las Vegas. At the time, the company said that the AVs would be help meet rider demand during busy times or in areas with fewer available drivers.
“Today marks a major milestone for autonomous mobility in Europe,” said Annie Duvnjak, global head of autonomous mobility operations at Uber. “By bringing together Pony.ai’s proven autonomous-driving technology, Verne’s operational expertise and Uber’s global platform, we’re making it simple for riders to access autonomous rides through the Uber app.
“Zagreb is an important first step as we work to bring AVs to millions of riders and build the world’s largest platform for AV deployment.”
