Mate Rimac, the founder of the electric hypercar firm, Rimac, has revealed plans for a new autonomous taxi service called ‘Verne’. The project is set to be officially announced on June 26, with Ignazio Morello, a former creative director of Saatchi and Saatchi, leading the initiative.
Unlike the luxurious Rimac Nevera supercar, the Verne robotaxi is not expected to resemble the high-end vehicles produced by the Croatian brand. Instead, there may be design elements inspired by the renowned science fiction novelist Jules Verne, giving the firm’s vehicles a unique and distinctive look.
The launch of Verne comes in the wake of the UK’s new Autonomous Vehicles Act, which aims to hold manufacturers or programmers accountable in the event of accidents involving autonomous vehicles. This legislation is paving the way for fully autonomous vehicles to hit British roads by 2026.
While robotaxi services are still rare globally, with none currently operating in the UK, other companies like Cruise in the US are testing their own autonomous taxi services using modified electric cars. Tesla is also expected to unveil its robotaxi concept in the near future.
With the rise of autonomous vehicles, the question of trust in these technologies on UK roads is a pressing issue. Would you feel comfortable riding in an autonomous car? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
As we look towards a future of autonomous mobility, it’s clear that innovative projects like Verne are shaping the way we think about transportation. With a focus on safety, convenience, and cutting-edge technology, autonomous taxis could soon become a common sight on our roads, revolutionizing the way we travel. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new development in the world of autonomous vehicles.