Jun 26, 2024
Rimac's Verne robotaxi to target Germany, U.K. after 2026 launch in Croatia
Rimac Automobili founder Mate Rimac unveiled a two-seat robotaxi planned to go into service starting in 2026.
The car will operate as part of autonomous ride-hailing service called Verne. It will launch in Zagreb, Croatia, with cities in Germany and the U.K. to follow later, Verne said in a statement.
The robotaxi will use Mobileye’s Drive platform and sensor suite to enable Level 4 driving.
The Mobileye platform is the same as that used by the Volkswagen Group for a self-driving VW ID Buzz full-electric robotaxi, which is also scheduled to go into service in 2026.
Verne is named after the French science-fiction writer Jules Verne, who wrote novels such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth.
A two-seat model was chosen after the company saw research showing that that 9 out of 10 taxi rides were made by either one or two people.
The decision allowed the company to "create unmatched interior space in a compact-sized vehicle," Adriano Mudri, Rimac chief design officer, said in the statement.
The company said the robotaxi has more legroom than a Rolls-Royce.
The vehicle does not have most of the fittings that are inside regular passenger cars such as a steering wheel or foot pedals. It has a giant 43-inch screen to display entertainment as well as information about the trip.
A touchpad allows interaction with the in-vehicle system, for example to change the temperature.
The car will be launched along with an app that allows users to move their preferred settings from car to car. Lighting, temperature and even how the car smells can be adjusted on the app.
"Even though the customer will never own the vehicle, it will be tailored to feel like your own," Verne said in the statement.
Cars will return to a "mothership" in each city for charging, cleaning and regular inspections. “The end result would be the best possible mobility experience for everyone," Mate Rimac said in the statement.
Mobileye Drive combines lidar as well as radar and cameras to locate the car. The exact set-up was not detailed, but development versions of the ID Buzz using the same system have two high-performance computers as well as 13 cameras, nine lidar and five radar units.
Verne said it has already signed agreements with 11 cities in the European Union, U.K. and the Middle East, and is negotiating with more than 30 cities worldwide to become partners.
Croatian entrepreneur Mate Rimac founded Rimac Automobili in 2011 and now oversees the Rimac Group's car division, parts supply business aimed at high performance electric drivetrains, as well as the Porsche and Rimac joint venture formed in 2021 that incorporated Bugatti.
The car will operate as part of autonomous ride-hailing service called Verne. It will launch in Zagreb, Croatia, with cities in Germany and the U.K. to follow later, Verne said in a statement.
The robotaxi will use Mobileye’s Drive platform and sensor suite to enable Level 4 driving.
The Mobileye platform is the same as that used by the Volkswagen Group for a self-driving VW ID Buzz full-electric robotaxi, which is also scheduled to go into service in 2026.
Verne is named after the French science-fiction writer Jules Verne, who wrote novels such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth.
A two-seat model was chosen after the company saw research showing that that 9 out of 10 taxi rides were made by either one or two people.
The decision allowed the company to "create unmatched interior space in a compact-sized vehicle," Adriano Mudri, Rimac chief design officer, said in the statement.
The company said the robotaxi has more legroom than a Rolls-Royce.
The vehicle does not have most of the fittings that are inside regular passenger cars such as a steering wheel or foot pedals. It has a giant 43-inch screen to display entertainment as well as information about the trip.
A touchpad allows interaction with the in-vehicle system, for example to change the temperature.
The car will be launched along with an app that allows users to move their preferred settings from car to car. Lighting, temperature and even how the car smells can be adjusted on the app.
"Even though the customer will never own the vehicle, it will be tailored to feel like your own," Verne said in the statement.
Cars will return to a "mothership" in each city for charging, cleaning and regular inspections. “The end result would be the best possible mobility experience for everyone," Mate Rimac said in the statement.
Mobileye Drive combines lidar as well as radar and cameras to locate the car. The exact set-up was not detailed, but development versions of the ID Buzz using the same system have two high-performance computers as well as 13 cameras, nine lidar and five radar units.
Verne said it has already signed agreements with 11 cities in the European Union, U.K. and the Middle East, and is negotiating with more than 30 cities worldwide to become partners.
Croatian entrepreneur Mate Rimac founded Rimac Automobili in 2011 and now oversees the Rimac Group's car division, parts supply business aimed at high performance electric drivetrains, as well as the Porsche and Rimac joint venture formed in 2021 that incorporated Bugatti.