Rimac Unveils Verne Robotaxi Service Debuting In 2026

Rimac is making a pivot into the realm of autonomous vehicles from its electric hypercar. The company has announced plans to launch a robotaxi service utilized by electric vehicles (EVs) called Verne, named after the science fiction author Jules Verne.

Verne is founded by Mate Rimac, alongside CEO Marko Pejković and chief design officer Adriano Mudri, where it is built on three key pillars: a uniquely designed autonomous vehicle, a sophisticated ride-hailing app, and a centralized “Mothership” for vehicle maintenance and charging. In addition, the Verne robotaxi will utilize Mobileye’s Drive platform and sensor suite that brings Level 4 autonomous driving.

In detail, the Verne robotaxi design is a departure from conventional autonomous vehicle appearances. Instead of a minibus appearance, Rimac has opted for a sleek and compact build with a wedge-shaped profile as well as expansive glass extending to the front bumpers. Interestingly, the Verne robotaxi will only be a two-seater after Rimac’s research illustrated that 9 out of 10 taxi rides were made by either one or two people.

The Verne robotaxi also consists of a 43-inch widescreen display, a 17-speaker audio system, and five-position reclining seats, offering what the company claims is “more space inside than a Rolls-Royce.” Furthermore, the robotaxi has sliding doors, which is how users will be greeted as well as considered to not obstruct traffic during pick-ups and drop-offs on busy roads.

Notably, one of Verne’s most innovative features is its customizable ride experience. Through the Verne app, users can pre-set their preferred seating position, cabin temperature, lighting, and even interior scent before the robotaxi arrives. As a result, this level of personalization focuses to deliver a sense of ownership in a shared mobility service.

As of now, Rimac plans to expand Verne’s operations with agreements already in place for 11 cities across the UK, EU, and Middle East. The company is also in negotiations with 30 more cities worldwide, signaling ambitious growth plans.

With 280 employees and a complete ecosystem of app, vehicle, and infrastructure, the Verne robotaxi service poses as a serious contender in the autonomous ride-hailing market. As the autonomous vehicle market heats up, companies including Tesla are set to reveal their own robotaxi designs, which could leverage over Verne’s early reveal to reflect on its current design.

Nevertheless, Verne’s unique approach and Rimac’s track record in electric vehicle innovation could still give it a competitive edge. The Verne robotaxi service is set to debut in Zagreb, Croatia in 2026.

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