Uber Technologies (UBER) surged 4.69% to $78.16 as the company launched autonomous rides through its app in Zagreb. The stock advanced sharply from around $74.66 during Wednesday trading, extending strong intraday momentum. The launch marks Uber’s first European market where riders can request autonomous vehicles directly through its platform.
Uber launched the Zagreb service with Verne and autonomous driving company Pony AI. Riders can now request autonomous trips across selected areas, including central parts of Croatia’s capital. The companies plan to increase service availability and expand geographic coverage as operations develop.
Licensed operators will initially remain behind the wheel while monitoring each autonomous vehicle. However, the partners intend to remove onboard operators after completing their phased deployment process. That approach allows the companies to introduce the service gradually before moving toward fully driverless operations.
Uber integrates the autonomous service into its existing ride-hailing network and handles the customer experience. Meanwhile, Pony AI provides the autonomous driving technology used by vehicles operating through the partnership. Verne owns the fleet and manages local operations under the companies’ shared deployment structure.
The commercial rollout follows a partnership that Uber, Verne, and Pony AI announced in March. Since then, the companies moved their program from development and testing into daily customer operations. Zagreb now provides a working model that the partners can apply across other European cities.
Verne previously introduced its commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb before joining Uber’s platform. The company has already completed thousands of autonomous trips while operating services regularly within the city. Uber now gives Verne access to a broader customer base through its established mobile application.
Pony AI contributes its Gen-7 Robotaxi technology to support the service across Zagreb. Its technology manages autonomous driving functions while Verne oversees vehicles and local fleet operations. Together, the companies aim to build a structure that supports wider autonomous mobility deployments across Europe.
Zagreb represents the first European market launched under the companies’ current autonomous mobility partnership. However, the partners intend to expand their model into additional European cities over time. They expect to provide further information about planned markets later this year.
Uber requires autonomous vehicles on its platform to meet applicable regulations and internal safety requirements. Therefore, the company will expand the service gradually as operational experience increases in Zagreb. The phased structure also supports Uber’s longer-term transition toward rides without onboard safety operators.
Uber expects autonomous vehicles and human drivers to continue operating together across its transportation network. Human drivers will continue serving trips where autonomous vehicles remain unavailable or unsuitable. Meanwhile, robotaxis could expand Uber’s available transport options as deployment reaches more cities.
Riders can access the Zagreb service by requesting UberX or Comfort through the Uber application. When an autonomous vehicle becomes available, the application provides vehicle information and trip instructions. The European launch strengthens Uber’s robotaxi expansion while adding another growth area to its mobility platform.
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