Verne robotaxis could be the perfect mobility solution for those with diabilities
by Brad Anderson
23 minutes ago
- Mate Rimac co-founded Verne, a new all-electric robotaxi company.
- Verne will launch its first self-driving robotaxi in Zagreb next year.
- The service promises cheaper rides than existing ride-hailing options.
It has been eighteen months since Mate Rimac introduced his new venture, Verne, a fully electric mobility brand centered on the development of a purpose-built robotaxi. Since then, information has been scarce, but Rimac recently returned to Instagram to share an update on Verne’s progress and its broader mission.
Rather than tapping an existing car manufacturer to use its vehicles for its robotaxis, as Waymo has done with Jaguar, Verne is developing its own self-driving car from the ground-up. The two-door model was showcased last year and features a spacious cabin void of any traditional controls like a steering wheel or pedals.
Read: Rimac’s Verne Robotaxi Is A Sporty 2-Seat Coupe With Sliding Doors And No Steering Wheel Or Wipers
According to Rimac, self-driving robotaxis like Verne’s could play a significant role in reshaping personal mobility. He believes they will allow people to reclaim time otherwise lost in traffic, whether by working on a laptop or joining a meeting en route.
The potential benefits also extend to those excluded from driving altogether, such as individuals who are too young, too old, or living with disabilities.
What Makes Verne Different?
Rimac says that Verne’s robotaxi offers more space and features than a wealthy businessman would find in the back of a Rolls-Royce that they may be chauffeured around in. A massive screen dominates the dashboard and the seats can be completely reclined.
While we haven’t heard much from Verne in quite some time, it’s been busy. In the clip, Rimac shows dozens of functional prototypes that have already been assembled. He is aiming to launch the robotaxi service first in Zagreb, Croatia, promising that it’ll be cheaper than current ride-hailing services.
If the Croatian launch is successful, plans are already in place to grow the service to other markets in Europe and around the world.
Verne hasn’t released any technical specifications about its vehicle, including what kind of driving range it will have. What we do know is that it has Mobileye’s advanced autonomous driving system and uses a bunch of cameras, radars, and LiDAR.
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