The strategy centers on a joint-deployment framework that divides labor between technology, platform, and fleet management. Pony.ai provides its L4 autonomous driving software and operational expertise, while Uber handles the customer-facing interface, including booking and payment systems. Local fleet partners will manage the day-to-day vehicle maintenance and operations, a structure already tested alongside Croatian firm Verne in their recent Zagreb launch.

Dr. James Peng, CEO of Pony.ai, noted that the move reflects a commitment to scaling reliable transport services across the continent. The collaboration, which began in May 2025, now looks beyond Europe, with the companies confirming plans to introduce similar services in the Middle East. For Pony.ai, the expansion builds on its experience in China, where it has already achieved city-wide breakeven unit economics in four major tier-one markets. Uber’s leadership views this as a transition toward a hybrid future, where autonomous vehicles operate alongside the company's existing network of human-driven cars to ensure reliable coverage for users.