Uber is preparing to expand its autonomous taxi ambitions across Europe after launching a driverless ride service in Zagreb, Croatia, in partnership with local mobility company Verne and Chinese autonomous-driving firm Pony.ai.
In a report published on October 18, Euronews said the companies were preparing to extend the service to other European cities, with Manchester identified as the next market under consideration.
The Zagreb service allows customers to book autonomous vehicles through Uber’s platform. The cars use Pony.ai’s self-driving technology, while Verne manages the local fleet and operations.
The service initially operated with a human safety operator behind the wheel. Euronews reported that limited fully driverless journeys began on September 10, with invited passengers travelling along a 22-kilometre route connecting Verne’s headquarters with Zagreb Airport.
The vehicles use a combination of cameras, laser-based sensors and radar to monitor their surroundings and navigate roads.
Pony.ai says its autonomous-driving system is trained in virtual environments before being deployed on public roads, where the technology must respond to real-world traffic conditions.
The companies see Zagreb as a model for expanding autonomous mobility services into other European markets. Uber has also identified cities including London, Madrid, Munich and Zurich as potential locations for future development.
However, the expansion of driverless taxis raises questions about passenger safety, regulatory approval and accountability when accidents occur.
The technology could also reshape the transport industry, including the work of professional drivers, although the scale of any employment impact will depend on how quickly autonomous services are adopted.
For European regulators, the challenge will be balancing innovation with public safety and ensuring that companies meet local requirements before operating without human drivers.
The Zagreb rollout offers an early example of how autonomous vehicles are moving beyond testing environments towards commercial passenger services, even as their wider adoption remains dependent on regulation, public confidence and continued technical development.
