Uber Technologies (UBER) rose 4.69% to $78.16 after the company launched autonomous rides through its app in Zagreb. The stock climbed sharply from about $74.66 during Wednesday trading, extending its intraday momentum. The launch marks Uber’s first European market where riders can request autonomous vehicles directly through its platform, adding a new test of how robotaxi service can fit into a mainstream ride-hailing app.

Zagreb Robotaxi Service Begins

Uber launched the Zagreb service with Verne and autonomous driving company Pony AI. Riders can now request autonomous trips in selected areas, including central parts of Croatia’s capital. The companies plan to expand service availability and geographic coverage as operations develop.

Licensed operators will initially remain behind the wheel while monitoring each autonomous vehicle. The partners, however, intend to remove onboard operators after completing their phased deployment process. That approach is designed to introduce the service gradually before moving toward fully driverless operations.

Uber integrates the autonomous service into its existing ride-hailing network and manages the customer experience. Pony AI provides the autonomous driving technology used by vehicles operating through the partnership, while Verne owns the fleet and handles local operations under the companies’ shared deployment structure.

Uber Expands Its European Autonomous Driving Strategy

The commercial rollout follows a partnership that Uber, Verne, and Pony AI announced in March. Since then, the companies have moved the program from development and testing into daily customer operations. Zagreb now serves as a working model that the partners may apply in other European cities, where local regulations, fleet operations, and rider access will all shape how quickly autonomous service can scale.

Verne had previously introduced its commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb before joining Uber’s platform. The company has already completed thousands of autonomous trips while operating regularly in 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 in Zagreb. Its technology handles autonomous driving functions, while Verne oversees vehicles and local fleet operations. Together, the companies aim to build a framework that can support wider autonomous mobility deployments across Europe.

More European Robotaxi Markets Ahead

Zagreb is the first European market launched under the companies’ current autonomous mobility partnership. The partners said they intend to expand the model into additional European cities over time and expect to provide more information about planned markets later this year.

Uber requires autonomous vehicles on its platform to meet applicable regulations and internal safety requirements. As a result, 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 handling trips where autonomous vehicles are unavailable or unsuitable. Meanwhile, robotaxis could expand Uber’s transportation 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 is available, the app provides vehicle information and trip instructions. The European launch adds another growth area to Uber’s mobility platform.