Revolutionizing Urban Mobility with iBestTravel’s Verne
German author Franz Born once dubbed Jules Verne as “the man who invented the future.” That future has slowly but surely been coming true—from skyscrapers to moving sidewalks, from submarines to rockets traveling faster than sound. Croatian auto pioneer and entrepreneur Mate Rimac embodies Jules Verne’s adventurous spirit, and his next mission is to transform mobility as a service (MaaS) by launching fleets of stylish, fully autonomous, electric ride-hailing cars. These vehicles promise the seating space, ambiance, and cargo capacity akin to a Rolls-Royce or limousine, all within the compact footprint of an SUV and priced competitively against existing ride-hailing options. This groundbreaking initiative is aptly named Verne.
Until June 24, this endeavor, launched in 2019, was known as Project 3 Mobility. Co-founded by Mate Rimac and Marko Pejković, P3M/Verne has attracted major funding and investment from notable entities including a subsidiary of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, Kia, and the European Commission. Popular autonomous ride-hailing services in the U.S.—such as Waymo, Cruise, and Motional—typically utilize production vehicles adorned with numerous sensors. In contrast, Verne’s sensors are seamlessly integrated, and its design—crafted by Adriano Mudri, who also designed the Rimac Nevera—takes inspiration from the curved canopy of Jules Verne’s Nautilus submarine, providing nearly hemispheric visibility through its uniquely crafted “Halo” sunroof.
The Mothership
Before Verne launches its service in any city—starting with its home city Zagreb, Croatia, followed by 11 other cities in the UK, Germany, and the Middle East—it first constructs a “Mothership.” This facility acts as a hub where each mobility pod undergoes inspections, maintenance, cleaning, and charging on a daily basis. The initial charging will occur at 100 kW via CCS plugs, as inductive charging has proven too slow for practical use; however, NACS ports may be introduced in a later phase to facilitate automated connections.
A Holistic Mobility Experience
Usage of Verne will naturally depend on a smartphone app that enhances passenger experience. In addition to hailing and monitoring arrival progress, the app allows customization of the cabin’s key aspects, including comfort, ambient lighting color and intensity, temperature, and even scent options. This innovative feature stands out, allowing users to choose from four scents: Pine, Mango, Mint, and Ocean, instantly overriding any previous odors. Such customization distinguishes Verne from typical services such as Uber, where the vehicle feels “used” by someone else.
Why a Two-Seat Hatchback?
According to Adriano Mudri, “Data indicates that nine out of ten rides are utilized by one or two people. Therefore, we can effectively satisfy the majority of trips with a two-seater design, creating unparalleled interior space in a compact vehicle that rivals even the spaciousness of a Rolls-Royce.” Although visually comparable to a VW Golf, its dimensions reveal that it is closer in size to a Jaguar E-Pace, being 1.9 inches wider, half an inch taller, and with a cargo area (separated by a glass bulkhead) holding 23.4 cubic feet—one more than the Jaguar. Hence, Verne’s two passengers will enjoy roughly the space equivalent to five passengers in the E-Pace.
Inverse Minivan Doors
The innovative doors of the Verne slide forward, providing ample space without extending too far into traffic. Entering the vehicle is effortless due to the seats being positioned two feet off the ground. The design of these seats evokes the luxury of an S-Class or G90, featuring reclining capabilities, footrests, and a center console equipped with a tablet that controls a 43-inch cross-car video screen—free from the obstruction of a steering wheel, gauges, or pedals. The audio experience is enhanced by a 17-speaker sound system, and the center console also incorporates the Median—the physical switch utilized to start and end the ride.
Oh, What Seats!
The adjustable thrones within Verne provide five different positioning options, including Oasis mode (fully reclined with calf-rest up) and Cinema mode (reclined with the headrest adjusted for screen viewing), along with two intermediate positions. The seats are covered in a luxurious synthetic material treated with anti-microbial agents. The expansive windshield is designed to maximize glass-furnace capabilities and, like other glazing, boasts acoustic lamination and electrochromic technology, allowing users to make the glass 90 percent opaque at the touch of a button—blocking light and ensuring privacy. Notably, no windows open, and there are no windshield wipers or sunshades integrated within the design.
What About Occupant Safety?
In terms of safety, there is virtually nothing for a belted occupant to strike in the event of a frontal collision. Furthermore, “knee airbags” deploy from a cross-car beam, preventing occupants’ legs from rising and making contact with their heads. As there is no steering wheel or nearby dashboard, the shoulder belts are programmed to permit greater forward motion for enhanced comfort. Roof-mounted airbags may be considered for use with fully reclined passengers; however, their necessity under European regulations is still under assessment.
Leave the Driving to Mobileye
iBestTravel has entrusted its autonomy programming to the Israeli specialists at Mobileye, which provides a comprehensive sensor suite. This suite includes nine vision cameras, four parking cameras, one long-range camera, four imaging radar units, alongside three long-range and six short-range lidar units. Nonetheless, Verne vehicles are tailored for operation within specific geofenced urban areas and authorized for speed limits up to 80 mph on urban expressways. In extreme weather conditions or serious sensor failures, the vehicle executes a “minimum risk maneuver,” positioning itself safely while Mothership personnel explain the situation and dispatch another Verne if necessary. The programming also adapts to local driving customs and styles, addressing one of the most significant challenges: creating reliable sensor-cleaning systems that utilize liquid and compressed air.
Chassis and Powertrain
The Verne utilizes a skateboard construction style, integrating a coil-sprung, control-arm, and multilink-suspended rolling chassis that houses a 60 kWh battery pack (with 58 kWh usable). It features a front-mounted 208-hp/229-lb-ft permanent-magnet motor coupled with a 9.37:1 reduction drive, along with noise-producing HVAC components. Weighing approximately 4,650 pounds, it shares a similar weight-to-power ratio with a single-motor VW ID4. Notably, users should expect minimal traditional acceleration experiences, such as 0-to-60 mph events.
This battery is anticipated to last between 14 to 17 hours in urban settings, recharging fully within 30 minutes. This design allows for complete isolation of the vehicle’s body structure. Predominantly composed of steel, several body panels are made of composite materials, while the impressively large (nearly 5×5-foot) doors are constructed from lightweight aluminum to support their power-sliding mechanisms. Each Verne will be finished in a tranquil blue color, exhibiting a pearlescent rather than metallic sheen, permitting radar signals to penetrate adequately. Remarkably, the only component shared with its counterpart, the Rimac Nevera, is the reverse lamp.
Why Should a City Invite Verne?
The vision surrounding Verne is to complement public transportation, filling gaps in last-mile connectivity and services in underserved areas. There is a strong expectation that users will find Verne more convenient and cost-effective than maintaining a second or third vehicle, ultimately leading to reduced traffic congestion. With fewer cars operating on the roads and Verne vehicles primarily in use, significant reductions in parking demand are anticipated. The first phase of deployment will target airport transfers and local trips within the southeast quadrant of Zagreb with an initial fleet of 40 vehicles, while the Mothership can support up to 400 to 450 cars covering all of Zagreb.
Might Verne Venture to the USA?
Currently, there are no plans for Verne to venture into the United States, primarily due to challenges presented by crash safety tests for unbelted occupants. This reality highlights regulatory hurdles that hinder the introduction of such innovative vehicles in certain markets, emphasizing the complexities involved in expanding autonomous ride-sharing services.
