Pony.ai, Uber and Verne Test Seventh-Generation Robotaxi in Manchester

What changed

Pony.ai, Uber and Verne are testing vehicles in Manchester ahead of the UK launch of a seventh-generation Robotaxi using Chinese autonomous-driving technology.

The partnership divides the work:

• Pony.ai provides the autonomous-driving system.
• Verne manages the local fleet.
• Uber connects passengers through its platform.

The Manchester deployment extends the same operating model the companies used in Zagreb into the United Kingdom.

Why it matters

Manchester gives the technology a different urban test: a multi-centre city with dense short trips and links between the city and its suburbs. Pony.ai says the move is intended to test how its system and operations adapt across more varied transport conditions.

That makes this more than a new city announcement. It is a test of whether a Chinese autonomous-driving company can carry a working commercial model across borders by splitting the job between technology, local operations and passenger access.

The practical timeline remains open. Vehicle testing is underway, but no passenger-service date, fleet size, fares, commercial terms or regulatory approval details have been provided.