Chinese autonomous driving company Pony.ai and Uber have announced plans to deploy more than 2,000 robotaxis across Europe, marking a major expansion of their partnership in the fast-growing self-driving vehicle industry.
The companies announced the plan on Friday, August 14, 2026. Their partnership will expand from an existing commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia, to four additional European cities. However, the companies have not yet revealed which cities will be included in the next phase of the expansion.
The announcement comes as technology companies and transport operators continue investing heavily in autonomous vehicles. Robotaxis are designed to transport passengers using self-driving technology, potentially reducing the need for a human driver behind the wheel.
Expansion Beyond Croatia
Pony.ai and Uber began their partnership in May 2025. Their cooperation has since led to the development of a commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, providing the foundation for a wider European rollout .
Under the newly announced plan, more than 2,000 robotaxis could eventually be deployed across Europe. However, the companies did not provide a specific date for when the full rollout would be completed.
The expansion is also expected to extend beyond Europe. Pony.ai said its partnership with Uber will include plans for the Middle East, although further details about locations, vehicle numbers and launch dates were not disclosed .
Growing Interest in Self-Driving Transport
The planned deployment reflects the growing global interest in autonomous transport technology. Supporters believe robotaxis could improve mobility and provide passengers with another option for travelling around major cities.
However, the expansion of self-driving vehicles also raises important questions about regulation, safety and public acceptance. Before robotaxis can operate widely, companies must meet local requirements and demonstrate that their technology can operate safely in different road and traffic conditions.
For Pony.ai, the agreement represents another important step in its international expansion. For Uber, the partnership could help the ride-hailing company strengthen its presence in the developing autonomous transport market.
A Major Step for Europe’s Robotaxi Industry
The planned deployment of more than 2,000 vehicles could become one of the largest robotaxi expansion projects announced for Europe.
The four new European cities remain undisclosed, and there is still no confirmed timetable for the full rollout. This means the project will likely be closely watched by regulators, transport authorities and passengers as more details emerge.
As autonomous vehicle technology continues to develop, the Pony.ai-Uber partnership could play an important role in shaping the future of urban transportation across Europe and potentially the Middle East.
For now, the companies have made clear that their ambitions are growing. The next major questions will be where the robotaxis will operate and when passengers will begin seeing them on the roads.
