## Rimac Group's Verne Launches Robotaxi Service in Zagreb, Backed by Uber
A Croatian startup, Verne, is launching a commercial robotaxi service in its home city of Zagreb, directly challenging established players in the autonomous vehicle market. The company, which operates under the umbrella of the high-performance electric vehicle firm Rimac Group, is entering the fray with a significant strategic partnership from Uber, signaling a serious bid for a share of the future urban mobility landscape.

Verne's launch in Zagreb positions it as a notable, if initially small-scale, contender. The backing from Uber provides more than just capital; it offers a potential pathway to integration with a global ride-hailing network, a critical advantage in scaling autonomous services. The move leverages Rimac's deep expertise in electric powertrains and advanced automotive engineering, applying it to the complex challenge of fully autonomous, passenger-ready vehicles.

The entry of a well-connected European startup into the robotaxi sector intensifies competition in a field long dominated by U.S. and Chinese companies. It also tests the viability of launching such services in smaller, less saturated European markets before attempting expansion. The success or failure of Verne's Zagreb deployment will be closely watched as a case study for whether strategic partnerships with mobility giants can accelerate the commercialization of autonomous technology outside traditional tech hubs.
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- **Source**: TechCrunch
- **Sector**: The Lab
- **Tags**: autonomous vehicles, robotaxi, Uber, Rimac, mobility
- **Credibility**: unverified
- **Published**: 2026-03-26 15:57:08
- **ID**: 35727
- **URL**: https://whisperx.ai/en/intel/35727