Electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla has been beaten to the launch of an autonomous taxi by a small Croatian company – despite the company having extensive experience in building battery-powered cars.
While all eyes are on Tesla ahead of its robotaxi debut on August 8, Rimac – the maker of the Nevera electric supercar – has announced the launch of its autonomous vehicle, the Verne.
The as-yet-unnamed autonomous vehicle is expected to be the first vehicle to enter production, initially hitting the streets of the Croatian capital Zagreb from 2026.
The company said it has “signed agreements with 11 cities in Europe, [the] UK and the Middle East, and are negotiating with more than 30 cities worldwide that want to become Verne partners.”
Verne, named in homage to the famous French science fiction novelist Jules Verne, said the robotaxi uses Intel’s Mobileye’s Drive autonomous technology platform, which enables Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities – one level short of full autonomy.
This is due to the presence of a switch – called the Median – inside the cabin that is used to start and stop the ride, allowing the occupants to have some control over the cockpit.
There’s no shortage of cameras and sensors on the outside of the car’s body, and there are no traditional side mirrors or wipers for a more aerodynamic shape, increasing driving range.
Inside, it’s a two-seater, with a step at the front to make it easier for passengers who might have jumped through a door to get to the other side.
However, as some members of the online community with limited mobility have noted, there doesn’t appear to be enough room for a wheelchair.
Verne claims its research shows nearly 90 percent of essential trips are for a maximum of two people, negating the need for Toyota HiAce– truck style
The company also boldly claims that their cabin has more space than a Rolls-Royce, even with a 43-inch display screen placed in front of the passenger.
Robotaxi users can use the booking app to set their preferred temperature inside the pod, allowing for temperature adjustments before it arrives.
Unlike current ride-sharing apps that can sometimes result in cancellations, Verne said users can rest assured that this won’t happen to them.
At this stage, we’re unlikely to see Verne’s robot taxis on local roads, as Australia has yet to approve any automated driving systems higher than Level 2 – which includes cruise control adaptive and lane change assist – for local roads.
