Robotaxi service Verne prepares for launch in Berlin

The robotaxi provider Verne is preparing to launch in Germany. The Croatian company confirmed to electrive that it is establishing its operational presence there. Two job postings for the Berlin location give clues about the structures that will be set up. Verne has not yet specified a concrete launch date.

Verne’s Robotaxi in Zagreb, Croatia

Image: Verne

Specifically, Verne posted two job openings a few days ago for its operational launch in Germany: one for a Fleet Operations Manager, or fleet supervisor, and another for an AV Operator responsible for managing autonomous vehicle systems during testing and deployment phases. Both positions are listed for the Berlin location, suggesting that Verne intends to bring its robotaxi service to the German capital.

In fact, both job postings are part of the preparations for the German market, as confirmed to electrive by a Verne spokesperson. However, the company has not yet disclosed further details about its plans for Germany.

Verne begins building an “operational presence”

Regarding this, Verne’s press spokesperson said, “Germany remains a priority market for Verne’s international expansion, as we have already announced. We are beginning to build our operational presence in Germany, and the two positions listed in Berlin are part of this effort.”

With this, Verne explicitly confirms for the first time that the job postings in Berlin are aimed at establishing its own operational structures in Germany. And this seems quite important to the company: After all, Verne CEO Marko Pejković shared one of the job postings on the career networking site LinkedIn.

Germany Already Known as a Key Target Market

As early as June 2024, Verne announced Germany as one of the first three planned markets when introducing his robotaxi concept: After launching in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2026 — which indeed took place in the spring — the robotaxi service was set to arrive first in the UK and Germany, with additional countries in Europe and the Middle East following. The concept includes a self-developed “purpose built” robotaxi that operates entirely without a steering wheel or pedals. However, this fully electric two-seater is still in the testing phase, and Verne is temporarily using other vehicles to gain practical experience quickly.

Verne is part of the Croatian Rimac Group, a manufacturer of hypercars as well as a Tier-1 supplier in the automotive industry. Verne was initially founded in 2019 under the name Project 3 Mobility by Mate Rimac, Marko Pejković, and Adriano Mudri. However, the Rimac Group has attracted additional investors, most recently Uber, and still holds 42 percent of Verne’s shares. The group’s CEO, Mate Rimac, is also a co-founder and chairman of Verne’s board of directors.

Job postings reveal planned structures

The job posting for Fleet Operations Manager is particularly informative. The position is explicitly based in Berlin. The future holder will be responsible for a vehicle depot, including the vehicles, AV operators, workshop technicians, charging infrastructure, and spare parts supply. Daily maintenance and authorizing vehicles for use also fall within their responsibilities. Verne describes the role as an operational depot leadership position that ensures vehicles are ready for use every day.

An interesting metric in this regard is one that the Fleet Operations Manager is supposed to share with the Service Operations team: the number of revenue-generating trips completed per vehicle per day. This suggests that Verne intends to establish the Berlin-based structures not only for technical testing but also with a view to future commercial robotaxi operations. The tender also requires applicants to have experience managing a fleet of at least 20 to 50 vehicles, although Verne does not state in the job description that its own fleet must be that large.

AV Operator to Operate Autonomous Prototypes

The second position, AV Operator, is located in the Autonomous Driving area. It appears to be a role that combines the duties of a safety driver and technical test personnel. The candidate will be responsible for operating autonomous prototypes for data collection and testing, conducting safety and risk assessments, and diagnosing technical issues in the field. Tasks also include integrating and calibrating components such as LiDAR, radar, cameras, and GPS. Professional driving experience is preferred. This position indicates that Verne in Berlin aims to establish practical testing and development activities involving autonomous vehicles as well.

However, Verne has not yet specified a concrete launch date for Berlin, nor a planned operation area or intended fleet size. The company also remains silent on possible discussions with German or Berlin authorities regarding the necessary approvals. Currently, neither Verne itself nor its current technology partner Pony.ai appears on the list of autonomous driving test approvals issued by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority. Such an approval is a prerequisite for obtaining permission from local authorities to operate in a specific testing and service area later on.

It is also unclear which vehicles will be used in Berlin. It is possible that the vehicles used in partnership with Pony.ai, such as the Arcfox Alpha T5 already in operation in Zagreb, could be utilized. Whether Verne intends to use its own two-seater robotaxi, developed specifically for driverless operation, in Germany instead or at a later stage remains uncertain.

Launch in Manchester is already confirmed

While making preparations in Germany, Verne is advancing its expansion in the UK. “As we announced recently, Manchester is our next location. We have already begun mapping work and testing with autonomous vehicles there. We will soon release more details on when our service will launch in new markets.”

Manchester is thus the next target market explicitly mentioned by Verne. Mapping work and tests with autonomous vehicles are already underway there. However, the company has not specified when the robotaxi service is set to launch there, nor has it provided a potential start date for Germany.

_Source: Statements via email_, letsverne.com (Fleet Operations Manager), letsverne.com (AV Operator)