How Uber and Verne moved from planned investment to Zagreb rides

Uber has confirmed an investment in Verne, whose robotaxi service is available in Zagreb through the Uber app. Verne CEO Marko Pejković confirmed the investment, but neither company has disclosed its size. The story connects a planned investment with an operating service and further vehicle development.

When did the investment become public?

In March, Verne, Uber and Pony.ai announced collaboration to establish a commercial robotaxi service in Europe. Uber said it intended to invest in Verne, although the investment had not then been publicly confirmed. Marko Pejković, Verne’s co-founder and CEO, later confirmed that Uber had invested. The companies have not provided the stake size or other financial terms.

The confirmation came after Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi visited Verne in Zagreb. The companies said he personally completed a fully driverless ride during that visit. Verne co-founder Mate Rimac subsequently referred to Uber as an investor and strategic partner in a Facebook post. He hinted at further joint expansion beyond Croatia, but the account gives no locations or schedule.

What can passengers book in Zagreb?

Verne launched its robotaxi service in Zagreb in April, initially covering roughly 90 square kilometres in the wider area, including Zagreb Airport. The first vehicles used the Arcfox Alpha T5 with Pony.ai Gen-7 autonomous driving technology. Since August, those vehicles have also been bookable through the Uber app. In this context, a robotaxi is a vehicle offered for rides using autonomous driving technology.

In September, selected passengers took fully driverless rides on a roughly 22 km route between Zagreb Airport, Verne’s headquarters and the city centre. The account does not say how many passengers participated or whether every available ride operates without a driver. It records a particular route and experience, rather than setting out full service conditions. The service is described as commercial, but no further operating details are given.

How does the new vehicle fit in?

Verne is also working on an electric two-seater built specifically for robotaxi use. It has no steering wheel or pedals and is based on Mobileye Drive. Verne said it had completed 60 verification prototypes by the end of 2025. Verification prototypes are vehicles used to check a design; the account does not describe their test results.

This vehicle programme is proceeding alongside the Zagreb operation that uses Pony.ai technology. Verne previously said it intended to add its own model to the fleet later, but no integration date is supplied. The distinction matters because the current service and the developing vehicle use different technologies. No claim is made that the new model is already carrying passengers.

What remains undisclosed or undecided?

The investment amount, stake size and other financial terms remain undisclosed. The account also gives no regulator, formal legal stage or decision relating to the investment or robotaxi operation. Verne was described as negotiating with additional cities in Europe, the UK and the Middle East, but no agreements or launch plans were identified. Further information would be needed to establish when, where or under what conditions expansion might occur.

The confirmed facts show investment alongside an existing Zagreb service and ongoing work on Verne’s own vehicle. The next useful updates would specify financial terms or changes to the service. Any deployment beyond Zagreb remains prospective in the information available.