The partnership also contemplates future deployments in the Middle East, although the companies have not identified specific markets or dates there.

How the robotaxi model is divided

The companies’ approach combines three capabilities that are needed to operate autonomous rides at scale:

1. Autonomous-driving technology: Pony.ai supplies the Level 4 driving system.
2. A customer and mobility platform: Uber provides access through its app, including booking, payments and customer service.
3. Fleet operations: Local operators are expected to handle the daily work of running vehicles in each market.

Pony.ai is also contributing operational and rider-experience expertise developed through its robotaxi operations. Uber’s role is broader than simply listing the service: its platform provides customer acquisition and trip-management infrastructure while continuing to support its existing human-driver network. Local partners can take on fleet ownership, financing and operations according to the needs of each market.

Why Zagreb matters

Zagreb is the practical starting point for the European expansion. Pony.ai and Uber worked with Croatian mobility company Verne on a commercial robotaxi service in the city in 2026. Verne serves as the local fleet owner and operator, while the service is expected to become bookable through Uber.

That structure gives the partners a model they can attempt to replicate: Pony.ai supplies the autonomous system, Uber supplies demand and platform infrastructure, and a market-specific operator manages the vehicles on the ground.

What is known about Pony.ai’s commercial experience

Pony.ai says it already operates paid, fully driverless robotaxi services in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The company also says it has achieved city-wide breakeven unit economics in multiple markets.

The announcement does not identify which cities have reached breakeven or provide financial figures. Those claims therefore cannot be evaluated on a city-by-city basis from the partnership announcement alone.

From international partnership to repeatable network

Pony.ai and Uber first agreed in May 2025 to bring Pony.ai robotaxis to Uber’s platform in international markets. The Zagreb work with Verne then provided a European commercial launch point, and the latest agreement extends the collaboration beyond a single city.

The strategic shift is important. Instead of treating every robotaxi launch as an isolated pilot, the companies are presenting a repeatable deployment model built around three partners: autonomous-vehicle technology from Pony.ai, platform reach from Uber and local execution by fleet operators.

Whether that model can expand quickly will depend on the still-unannounced cities, regulatory approvals, operating economics and the partners’ ability to reproduce the Zagreb setup. For now, the clearest commitment is the scale target—more than 2,000 robotaxis across Europe—not a confirmed delivery schedule.

The partnership also contemplates future deployments in the Middle East, although the companies have not identified specific markets or dates there.

How the robotaxi model is divided

The companies’ approach combines three capabilities that are needed to operate autonomous rides at scale:

1. Autonomous-driving technology: Pony.ai supplies the Level 4 driving system.
2. A customer and mobility platform: Uber provides access through its app, including booking, payments and customer service.
3. Fleet operations: Local operators are expected to handle the daily work of running vehicles in each market.

Pony.ai is also contributing operational and rider-experience expertise developed through its robotaxi operations. Uber’s role is broader than simply listing the service: its platform provides customer acquisition and trip-management infrastructure while continuing to support its existing human-driver network. Local partners can take on fleet ownership, financing and operations according to the needs of each market.

Why Zagreb matters

Zagreb is the practical starting point for the European expansion. Pony.ai and Uber worked with Croatian mobility company Verne on a commercial robotaxi service in the city in 2026. Verne serves as the local fleet owner and operator, while the service is expected to become bookable through Uber.

That structure gives the partners a model they can attempt to replicate: Pony.ai supplies the autonomous system, Uber supplies demand and platform infrastructure, and a market-specific operator manages the vehicles on the ground.

What is known about Pony.ai’s commercial experience

Pony.ai says it already operates paid, fully driverless robotaxi services in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The company also says it has achieved city-wide breakeven unit economics in multiple markets.

The announcement does not identify which cities have reached breakeven or provide financial figures. Those claims therefore cannot be evaluated on a city-by-city basis from the partnership announcement alone.

From international partnership to repeatable network

Pony.ai and Uber first agreed in May 2025 to bring Pony.ai robotaxis to Uber’s platform in international markets. The Zagreb work with Verne then provided a European commercial launch point, and the latest agreement extends the collaboration beyond a single city.

The strategic shift is important. Instead of treating every robotaxi launch as an isolated pilot, the companies are presenting a repeatable deployment model built around three partners: autonomous-vehicle technology from Pony.ai, platform reach from Uber and local execution by fleet operators.

Whether that model can expand quickly will depend on the still-unannounced cities, regulatory approvals, operating economics and the partners’ ability to reproduce the Zagreb setup. For now, the clearest commitment is the scale target—more than 2,000 robotaxis across Europe—not a confirmed delivery schedule.