Rimac on Robotaxis: We Planned to Be on the Streets in 2024, but You Can’t Always Predict Everything

Exactly three weeks ago, Mate Rimac presented the long-awaited robotaxi, named Verne, after the famous writer Jules Verne, who is said to be the man who invented the future, and which is expected to drive the streets of Zagreb in 2026. We have already written about how the presentation did not go as expected, and after numerous inquiries, criticisms, and comments from the domestic public, Mate Rimac and Verne’s CEO Marko Pejković decided to speak publicly about everything in a live interview with Index journalist Ilko Ćimić. In an interview that exceeded the one-hour time frame, Rimac and Pejković addressed a large number of uncertainties that the Croatian public has about robotaxis, emphasizing that they will be more transparent and honest with domestic media.

– There were many misconceptions, and we wanted to establish this direct communication to say where we went wrong – said Pejković.

After the presentation, it was often mentioned that the robotaxi did not come on stage, but according to Rimac, investors were very positive despite the fact that not everything went according to plan, and that is what is most important to them.

– We announced that we would show a presentation prototype, but we made a mistake by not communicating this better to the Croatian public. Foreign media knew that this was a presentation prototype that was not made to drive. The Croatian public is important to us; we should have communicated better what we would do there, and I take responsibility for that, which is why we are here now to fix the damage because we did not communicate well with the Croatian media, while we did with foreign media and investors – explained Pejković during the interview.

– About ten prototypes were shown. What was supposed to come on stage is not the final product – added Rimac.

In addition to the problems during the presentation, many criticize Rimac for missing deadlines, given that, according to the first announcements, robotaxis were supposed to be completed by 2024.

– This is a big bite. We had a plan to drive on the streets in 2024, but that is not simple. We are doing something that is being done for the first time. You can’t predict everything. And when you build a house, things get delayed, especially when you are doing something that no one has done – said Rimac, adding that if the project fails, it is bad for the entire Rimac Group.

– I have many bigger things here. I’m not crazy to risk everything. We went with good intentions – said Rimac, while Pejković attributed the delays to bureaucracy and checks that needed to be conducted before starting innovations. However, he emphasized that they have been working on the project all the time, but with less intensity.

– We waited two years for approval; we explained that we would not be able to do everything and that we had to postpone. Unforeseen things occurred – said Pejković.

‘A lot will be seen in the next few months’

In any case, Verne, in collaboration with the company VGP, has started building a factory for large-scale production of autonomous electric vehicles in Lučko, and Pejković announced today that the factory will be completed by the end of summer.

– We have already started showing some things, prototypes we are working on to reach the final product. Also, the entire part that Uber is doing, we already have, just adapted for robotaxis, and a lot will still be seen in the next few months – said Pejković, noting that they will do what they have been saying from the beginning: a fully autonomous robotaxi that will drive in the area of Zagreb and its surroundings.

– We have said ten times what we want to do. Representatives of the European Commission have been with us, and everyone is thrilled with what we are doing; they were also from the European Court of Auditors, and they are also thrilled. All the institutions we have talked to are very satisfied with everything we want to do. They have seen everything; we explained everything we have gone through and what we will deliver, and if we do not deliver that, we will face consequences that we will bear – said the CEO of Verne.

When asked by journalists if they can deliver a level five autonomous car, as they stated when applying for public funding, Pejković said that ‘the whole story that level five is the basis for obtaining money is wrong’.

– We will make a car without a steering wheel, gas pedal, and brake. If that is not in line with the project, we will face consequences – added Rimac.

However, they confirmed that they will have a service for end users in 2026 when ’50 to 100 cars’ will be driving on the streets, which the company ‘will finance itself and which will operate in Zagreb and its surroundings’.

– We are starting in the eastern part of New Zagreb. The cars will drive in places where they can stop. We cannot stop in some places where a human driver can stop. That is why we will not be able to deliver you in front of your door at first. We are working with the City to define where the cars can stop. The goal is to be no more than 50 meters from the place where you want to be picked up or dropped off. Initially, it will be a little more than 50 meters away. We will drive on all streets and leave you as close as possible without breaking the law. We must not break the law. If the limit is 50 km/h, it must drive 50 km/h – explained Pejković.