Uber & Pony.ai Set to Launch 2,000 Robotaxis in Europe in Major Expansion
In a significant development in the autonomous vehicle industry, Uber and Chinese self-driving technology company Pony.ai have unveiled plans to roll out over 2,000 robotaxis across Europe. This move marks a considerable expansion of a partnership that achieved a historic milestone earlier this year.
The duo initiated what they term as Europe’s inaugural commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia, in late March 2026. They collaborated with local mobility operator Verne for this venture. The extended deal, announced on August 14, will see Pony.ai providing its tried and tested Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving technology. This technology will be deployed on the Arcfox Alpha T5 robotaxi vehicle. Concurrently, Uber will contribute its global ride-hailing platform for booking, payment, and customer service.
The plans also encompass expansion to four additional European cities, with more details to be revealed in stages. The partnership will also extend its reach to the Middle East, although specific cities and timelines remain undisclosed.
Pony.ai CEO Dr. James Peng referred to the expanded agreement as “an important new phase” in the partnership. He emphasized the objective of establishing “sustained commercial operations at scale across Europe and beyond.”
Uber is up against tough competition in the autonomous ride sector, with Alphabet-backed Waymo operating approximately 5,000 vehicles, predominantly in the U.S. Chinese competitors Baidu Apollo Go and WeRide are also intensifying their European push. A pilot project involving WeRide and Uber is also slated for Madrid later this year.
Source: TechCrunch — Uber and Pony.ai plan to bring 2,000 robotaxis to Europe