PHOTOS: Rimac presents driverless robotaxi in Zagreb

by croatiaweek
June 26, 2024
in Business

(Photo: Verne)

Mate Rimac has unveiled the Verne RoboTaxi, a sporty, driverless two-seater coupe, today in the Croatian capital Zagreb.

The Verne robotaxi will debut in Zagreb in 2026, with plans to expand to other European cities, including the UK and Germany, and the Middle East.

The company has already secured agreements with 11 cities and is in negotiations with over 30 more worldwide.

Verne, a company founded by Rimac and two of his closest colleagues from Rimac Group, Marko Pejković and Adriano Mudri, the designer of Nevera, is set to transform the landscape of urban transportation.

(Photo: Verne)

The Verne Vehicle

Verne’s vehicle departs from traditional designs, featuring a purpose-built platform without a steering wheel or pedals.

Collaboration with Mobileye ensures the vehicle’s autonomous driving capabilities are top-notch, capable of navigating dynamic urban environments. The vehicle’s sophisticated sensor set, including cameras, radar, and lidar, integrates seamlessly with the Mobileye Drive platform, providing flexible and scalable autonomous driving solutions.

Interior Design and User Experience

With two seats, the vehicle is optimised for the majority of trips, which typically involve one or two passengers. The design prioritises spaciousness, featuring more room than a Rolls-Royce, and includes sliding doors for easy access and unobstructed traffic flow. Inside, passengers can enjoy an ultra-wide 43-inch display for entertainment and journey information, enhanced by superb audio quality from 17 speakers.

(Photo: Verne)

The cabin is preconditioned for comfort, with adjustable settings for ambiance, sound, and lighting to match any mood.

The vehicle’s extra-large seats offer five levels of comfort, and a Touchpad allows easy adjustment of settings. A unique feature, the Median, provides a physical switch to start and stop the ride, offering an added sense of control.

The rounded sunroof, or Halo ring, adds to the vehicle’s futuristic appeal, providing new perspectives of the city.

(Photo: Verne)

Exterior Design

Verne’s vehicle has a sleek, spaceship-like design, merging a smooth upper canopy with a solid lower body. The integration of sensors and the removal of traditional automotive features, such as windshield wipers and side-view mirrors, enhance aerodynamic performance and simplify cleaning.

Despite its compact size, the vehicle offers the comfort of an executive limousine and includes a trunk for practical storage.

(Photo: Verne)

Infrastructure

Each city where Verne operates will feature a “Mothership,” a specialised facility for inspecting, maintaining, cleaning, and charging the vehicles daily.

This guarantees that customers always receive a safe and clean vehicle. Verne’s first production facility is being established in Croatia, where these autonomous electric vehicles will be produced for global deployment.

(Photo: Verne)

Adriano Mudri, Verne’s Chief Design Officer, introduced the new brand with a nod to Jules Verne, the visionary author known as “the man who invented the future.” Inspired by Verne’s imaginative innovation and faith in the future, the company aims to transform urban mobility with a blend of creativity and practicality.

(Photo: Verne)

At Verne, the focus is not on being the first to market but on perfecting the customer experience.

Co-founder Mate Rimac emphasises that the goal is to provide an unparalleled mobility service that rivals the best luxury experiences at an affordable price. This approach ensures a safe, reliable, and highly personalised service that enhances every journey.