Uber confirms investment in Zagreb robotaxi operator Verne

Uber has invested in Verne, which operates a robotaxi service in Zagreb through the Uber app. Verne CEO Marko Pejković confirmed the investment, while its size and financial terms remain undisclosed. The confirmation puts a previously stated intention into the public record as the service develops.

The available information identifies no regulator, legal proceeding or formal regulatory stage connected with the investment or the robotaxi operation. The service is described as commercial, and selected passengers have taken fully driverless rides. The companies have not announced financial terms or further detail on the investment.

Investment confirmation followed earlier intent

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

The confirmation followed a visit to Zagreb by Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The companies said he completed a fully driverless ride during that visit. Verne co-founder Mate Rimac also referred to Uber as an investor and strategic partner in a Facebook post. That post suggested further joint expansion outside Croatia, without providing details of locations or timing.

Zagreb operation uses partner technology

Verne launched its robotaxi service in Zagreb in April, initially covering roughly 90 square kilometres in the wider area, including Zagreb Airport. The vehicles were based on the Arcfox Alpha T5 and used Pony.ai Gen-7 autonomous driving technology. Since August, passengers have also been able to book those vehicles through the Uber app. The account describes this as a service already operating commercially.

In September, selected passengers experienced fully driverless rides on a roughly 22 km route connecting Zagreb Airport, Verne’s headquarters and the city centre. The information does not specify how many passengers took part or describe operating conditions for those journeys. It also does not state whether every ride offered through the service is driverless. The confirmed route therefore provides a specific example of the trialled experience, rather than a full account of service availability.

Verne is preparing a separate vehicle

Alongside the current operation, Verne is developing an electric two-seater designed specifically for robotaxi use. The planned vehicle 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. Those prototypes relate to the company’s own vehicle programme, which is running alongside the existing service using Pony.ai technology.

Verne had said it planned to integrate its self-developed model into the fleet at a later stage. No timing for that integration is provided in the available account. The company was also described as being in discussions with additional cities in Europe, the UK and the Middle East about possible future deployments. No cities, agreements or launch dates were specified.

No investment amount, stake size or other financial terms have been disclosed. The available information also names no regulator, decision or legal stage governing the investment or service. Verne and Uber have confirmed the investment and described their operating collaboration, but further expansion remains a stated prospect. The next concrete updates to watch are any disclosed financial terms, service changes in Zagreb and details of a future deployment.