AGP Executive Report

Autonomous Mobility in Croatia: Uber’s first European autonomous rides went live in Zagreb via a partnership with Verne and Pony.ai, initially with a licensed safety operator onboard, with plans to expand toward fully driverless operations. AI Hardware for AVs: Waymo says it’s using purpose-built 5nm AI silicon (an ASIC) to cut latency for robotaxis, aiming for real-time driving decisions without human backup. Embedded Neuromorphic AI: Croatian company Neuromorphyx, with BrainChip, launched BrainBoard1500—an Arduino Nicla-compatible board bringing the AKD1500 neuromorphic accelerator to embedded developers. UAV Trade Policy: The US eased export controls on certain civilian/commercial drones while keeping limits on military-designed and sensitive systems, and also moved to tariff some UAV imports under Section 232. Ancient Tech Meets Modern Science: A study on Croatia’s Ilovik-Paržine 1 Roman shipwreck found waterproofing made from pine tar and pine tar–beeswax mixtures, using molecular and pollen analysis. Climate Pressure in the Region: Croatia and the wider Balkans are dealing with wildfire and drought impacts, with reports of evacuations and growing wildfire risk across Europe.

Autonomous Mobility in Zagreb: Uber, Croatian robotaxi operator Verne and Pony.ai launched autonomous rides in Zagreb via the Uber app, with a licensed safety operator on board during the initial phase and plans to expand coverage toward fully driverless service. AI Hardware for Edge Devices: Croatian deep-tech firm Neuromorphyx and BrainChip introduced BrainBoard1500, an Arduino Nicla-compatible board built around the AKD1500 neuromorphic accelerator, targeting embedded developers with SPI/QSPI access and power monitoring. Climate Pressure on the Region: Europe’s wildfire risk is projected to surge by 2100, while extreme heat and drought are also exposing rivers and heritage sites; Croatia’s firefighting response to major blazes around Omiš and Pelješac underlines the stakes. Drought-Exposed History: A 2,200-year-old Roman shipwreck off Croatia (Ilovik-Paržine 1) is shedding light on ancient waterproofing using pine tar and beeswax, adding molecular and pollen analysis to archaeology. Border Tech in Croatia: EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner visited Croatia to discuss migration and security, highlighting the Entry-Exit System (EES) rollout and its border-management impact.

Autonomous Mobility in Croatia: Uber, Pony.ai and Croatian operator Verne launched autonomous rides in Zagreb via the Uber app, making Croatia the first European market where riders can book a self-driving car (UberX/Comfort) in select zones; for now, a licensed safety operator monitors from behind the wheel as the service expands. AI Hardware for Embedded Engineers: BrainChip and Neuromorphyx announced the AKD1500-based BrainBoard1500 developer board, bringing neuromorphic AI to compact edge design workflows. Water & Tech Governance: DIKTAS II mid-term results were reviewed in Sarajevo, with Croatia among partners aligning groundwater monitoring, legal cooperation and regional biodiversity work under UNESCO/UNDP support. Climate Pressure on Europe: New research warns wildfire-affected areas in Europe could nearly triple by 2100 without strong emissions cuts, even with better fire management. Invasive Species Control: Croatia-linked research targets the invasive blue crab by releasing about 160,000 young common octopuses into the Adriatic, after blue crabs were spotted near Lastovo. Drought Exposes History: Europe’s extreme drought continues to reveal submerged relics, including a century-old steam tugboat resurfacing from the Sava River in Serbia.

Autonomous Mobility in Croatia: Uber, Croatian operator Verne and Chinese tech firm Pony.ai launched autonomous rides in Zagreb via the Uber app, making the Croatian capital the first European city where riders can book robotaxis (UberX/Comfort) with a licensed safety operator monitoring at launch, before fully driverless operation later. Robotaxi Business Momentum: Pony.ai reported a 691% jump in robotaxi revenue in Q2 2026 and says its overseas deployment pipeline now tops 4,000 vehicles, with Europe a key target. Embedded AI Hardware (Croatian link): BrainChip and Neuromorphyx (Croatian deep-tech) announced the AKD1500-based BrainBoard1500 developer board to bring neuromorphic AI to embedded engineers. Climate Tech & Risk: New research warns wildfire-affected areas across Europe could nearly triple by 2100 in a high-emissions scenario, even as better fire management helps. Drought Exposes History: Europe’s severe drought is revealing long-buried relics, including a century-old steam tugboat wreck in Serbia nicknamed “Sava’s Titanic.” Marine Biosecurity: Researchers plan to release about 160,000 young octopuses in the Adriatic to curb invasive blue crabs, after the species was detected near Croatia’s Lastovo Archipelago.

Autonomous Mobility in Zagreb: Uber, Pony.ai and Verne launched autonomous rides in Zagreb via the Uber app, with a safety driver monitoring during the phased rollout and coverage expected to expand across the city. Robotaxi Business Signals: Pony.ai reported a steep Q2 jump, with robotaxi revenue up 691% year-on-year and an overseas deployment pipeline now exceeding 4,000 vehicles, including a major Uber-backed push in Europe. Croatian Engineering in Action: The Croatian Army helped rescue a stranded 18-metre Roman ship replica on the Drava River near Osijek, using engineering “skis,” access routes and continuous hull wetting to prevent cracking. Nord Stream Case: Germany says a Ukrainian suspect was arrested in Croatia over alleged Nord Stream sabotage, setting up an extradition and trial in Germany. EU Tech & Payments: Croatia’s new motorway toll collection system is moving toward free-flow electronic charging, with existing ENC devices still supported and plate recognition for passenger cars. Blue Economy Networking: Cyprus and Croatia plan a blue economy business and innovation forum in Limassol on Sept. 25, linking companies and researchers on maritime innovation.

Autonomous Mobility in Europe: Pony.ai says its overseas robotaxi rollout pipeline has surpassed 4,000 vehicles under contract, with plans tied to permits and local readiness—building on its expanded Uber partnership that already includes Zagreb and adds more European cities. EU Digital Justice: The e-Evidence Regulation is now fully applicable, letting investigators in EU states request digital data directly from major tech firms with faster deadlines, reshaping how cross-border cases move. Croatia Tech & Mobility: Volkswagen EV drivers in Europe can now use Samsung Wallet’s Digital Key for hands-free entry and start, rolling out to select ID models. Croatia Environment & Safety: Croatia’s President Milanović has requested an emergency Parliament session over alleged illegal hazardous waste dumping in Gospić, pushing for remediation, monitoring, and inspections. Underwater Heritage: A shipwreck near Croatia’s Mljet has yielded high-status treasures, including jewelry and coins, after years of underwater excavation. Blue Economy Networking: Cyprus and Croatia businesses and researchers will meet in Limassol on Sept. 25 for a blue economy forum under Horizon Europe projects. Embedded Neuromorphic AI: Croatian deep-tech company Neuromorphyx is partnering with BrainChip to bring its AKD1500-based neuromorphic developer board to embedded designers. Transport Infrastructure: Poland’s high-speed rail tunnel project is advancing as a TBM cradle is completed and assembly begins, with Croatian experts among the teams. Nord Stream Probe: A Ukrainian suspect linked to the 2022 Nord Stream sabotage has been arrested in Croatia and is set to be tried in Germany.

EU e-Evidence Regulation: From now on, investigators across the EU can directly order tech firms to hand over emails, messages and related data, with a fast 10-day standard deadline (8 hours in emergencies), cutting out the slow MLAT process. Croatia Environment: President Milanović has requested an emergency Parliament session over illegal hazardous waste dumping in Gospić (Bilajska 50), pushing for permanent remediation, tighter groundwater monitoring, and a new Chief State Inspector. Robotaxis in Europe: Pony.ai says its overseas robotaxi pipeline has topped 4,000 vehicles, including a deal with Uber for 2,000+ robotaxis in Europe that builds on the Zagreb service. Digital Key for VW EVs: Volkswagen EV drivers in Europe can use Samsung Wallet’s Digital Key for hands-free entry and start, rolling out to select ID models. Croatian Sea Monitoring: Croatia’s public health testing shows about 97% of monitored beaches rated excellent, with sampling every 14 days and daily follow-ups if pollution appears. Neuromorphic AI Hardware (Croatia): BrainChip and Neuromorphyx (Croatian deep-tech) announced the AKD1500-based BrainBoard1500 developer platform for embedded neuromorphic AI. Connected Ball Tech (Sports Tech): The Premier League is monitoring LaLiga’s in-ball sensor system for potential future use, but says there are no immediate plans to deploy it in England. Roman Archaeology (Croatia): Archaeologists in Cavtat uncovered a sealed 1,500-year-old sarcophagus, preserved well enough to study Late Roman burial practices. Infrastructure Engineering (Poland): Work on a TBM cradle for Poland’s Łódź high-speed rail tunnel is complete, with TBM assembly underway for a Q1 2027 excavation start.

Hazardous Waste Crisis in Gospić: Croatia’s president Zoran Milanović has asked for an emergency Parliament session over illegal dumping at Bilajska 50, warning of urgent groundwater and environmental risk, and pushing for permanent remediation, rapid resident briefings, and a new chief state inspector. EU Flood Resilience: A new EU-focused look at flood policy highlights how climate-driven extremes are driving broader action beyond barriers—risk mapping, river-basin planning, nature restoration, forecasting, and emergency response. Neuromorphic AI for Croatian Engineers: BrainChip and Neuromorphyx (Croatia) announced the AKD1500-based BrainBoard1500 developer board, bringing ultra-low-power neuromorphic AI access to embedded design teams. Robotaxis Expand in Europe (Zagreb link): Uber and Pony.ai plan to deploy 2,000+ robotaxis across Europe, scaling up from Zagreb to additional cities under a shared tech-and-operations model. Connected Ball in Football: The Premier League is monitoring La Liga’s in-match connected ball system (sensor in the ball) as a possible future tool for officiating, though no immediate rollout is planned. Roman-Era Discoveries in Croatia: Archaeologists report a massive, sealed Late Antiquity sarcophagus unearthed near Dubrovnik, plus a Croatian army-assisted rescue of a Roman ship replica stranded in the Drava due to low water. EU Tobacco Rules Under Review: The European Commission is rewriting tobacco rules after finding current laws lag behind digital marketing and new nicotine products, with proposals tied to taxation and youth use. Wildfire Pressure Across Europe: Reports track escalating blazes and evacuations, underscoring how heat and drought are stressing emergency response systems.

Connected Ball Tech in Football: The Premier League is monitoring La Liga’s in-ball sensor system that pinpoints the exact moment the ball is touched, adding extra data for offsides, handballs and deflections—though England has no plans to use it yet, relying instead on optical tracking. Autonomous Mobility Expansion (Croatia link): Pony.ai and Uber are scaling their robotaxi partnership beyond Zagreb, aiming for 2,000+ driverless rides across five European cities, with details to come in phases. Croatian Archaeology & Heritage: A 1,500-year-old sealed sarcophagus has been unearthed in Cavtat, while a Byzantine shipwreck off Mljet has yielded over 600 grams of gold and an imperial-style ring. Drava River Rescue: Croatia’s army helped recover a reconstructed Roman ship replica stranded on a sandbank in the Drava near Osijek after extreme low water levels. Security App Spotlight: ScamNet’s anti-scam suite targets suspicious calls, messages and websites with offline detection and iOS protections. Digital Nomads (Croatia mentioned): A new ranking puts Spain first for remote workers, with Croatia placing third thanks to visa options and lower living costs.

Robotaxis in the region: Pony.ai and Uber are expanding their Zagreb-based robotaxi service, aiming to deploy 2,000+ driverless rides across five European cities (names and timelines still to come) and later push into the Middle East, with Pony.ai handling Level 4 driving tech and Uber powering booking, payments and customer service. NATO readiness boost: Poland and Boeing are setting up Europe’s largest Apache sustainment hub to keep AH-64E attack helicopters combat-ready on NATO’s eastern flank, shifting more maintenance and support work to Polish industry. Croatia wildfire response: After the Omiš-area blaze, Croatia’s Red Cross says the situation calmed by Saturday morning; one person died, four were seriously injured, and tourists could return, while the Red Cross continues support with transport, documents and trauma help. Archaeology off Croatia: A Byzantine shipwreck near Mljet yielded 600+ grams of gold and jeweled items, including an imperial-style ring, pointing to high-ranking passengers. Climate pressure on food: Europe’s farmers face worsening heat and drought impacts, with crop losses and yield forecasts taking a hit as extreme weather becomes more structural. Digital nomads: Spain tops a new ranking for remote-work destinations, with Croatia placing third thanks to visa options and lower living costs.

Robotaxi Rollout: Pony.ai and Uber are expanding their partnership to deploy 2,000 robotaxis across five European cities, building on the commercial service already running in Zagreb and aiming to add Middle East operations too. Wildfire Crisis: A major wildfire near Omiš forced about 1,000 people to evacuate, injured dozens, and destroyed homes and vehicles, as EU warnings point to “very extreme” conditions across parts of Europe. Local Tech & Mobility: The expansion plan keeps the “joint fleet” model: Pony.ai brings Level 4 driving tech, Uber brings the booking and customer platform, and local partners handle day-to-day operations. Croatian Economy & Industry: Mate Rimac says top Croatian exports increasingly include luxury cars and battery systems, citing leading exporter rankings that place Bugatti Rimac and Rimac Technology among the biggest earners. Archaeology Underwater: Croatian researchers report an exceptional gold haul—over 450 grams—from a Byzantine shipwreck off the coast, including coins and a signet ring. Conservation Watch: Europe is racing to stop invasive marbled crayfish in the Czech Republic, using rapid-response funding to remove small, newly found populations before they spread.

Robotaxis in Europe: Uber and Pony.ai are expanding their driverless partnership, aiming to deploy 2,000 robotaxis across five European cities, building on the commercial service already launched in Zagreb (with Uber integration planned). Croatia’s Wildfire Crisis: A major wildfire near Omiš forced about 1,000 people to evacuate, injured dozens, and destroyed homes and vehicles; the situation later improved, but the Red Cross warns of ongoing individual support needs. Wildfires Across Europe: Record heat and drought are driving blazes from France and Belgium to Greece, with hundreds arrested in France on suspicion of arson. Underwater Archaeology: Croatian researchers report an exceptional gold haul—over 450 grams—from a Byzantine shipwreck off the coast, including coins and a signet ring. Local Cost Pressure: Dubrovnik-Neretva families face some of Croatia’s highest everyday shopping costs, with a standard basket nearing €750. Color Science for Beauty: Estée Lauder and the University of Leeds are teaming up to improve complexion shade matching using perception-based research. Ancient City Beneath the River: New underwater findings in the Kupa River near Sisak add to the story of ancient Siscia and a preserved Roman barge.

Robotaxis in Europe: Uber and Pony.ai are expanding their driverless taxi partnership from Zagreb into four more European cities, aiming to deploy over 2,000 robotaxis, with Uber handling booking/payment and Pony.ai providing Level 4 driving tech. Croatia wildfire response: A major blaze near Omiš has been brought under control, after one death, dozens injured, and about 1,200 evacuations; the Croatian Red Cross says tourists can return, while prevention and settlement protection remain the key focus. EU heat and fire pressure: Across Europe, record heat and drought are driving new wildfires and evacuations, with France reporting hundreds of suspected arson arrests and multiple countries still battling blazes. Tech and industry exports: Mate Rimac highlights that Croatia’s top export products include luxury cars and battery systems, with Rimac Technology listed among the leading exporters in 2025. Underwater archaeology: Croatian conservation researchers report an exceptional haul of gold from a Byzantine shipwreck off the coast, including coins and a signet ring, with research continuing on dating and identity. Medical workforce strain: A Europe-wide survey finds many physicians exceed working-time limits, linking excessive hours and night shifts to worsening health and intentions to leave the profession.

Autonomous Mobility in Croatia: Pony.ai and Uber are expanding their robotaxi partnership, aiming to deploy more than 2,000 Level 4 robotaxis across five European cities, building on the already-running commercial service in Zagreb that’s set to be integrated into the Uber app. Disaster Response & Safety: A major wildfire near Omiš has been brought under control, but the damage is significant: one death, dozens injured, and about 1,000 evacuations; the Croatian Red Cross says people are still requesting help with transport, documents, and contacting relatives. EU-wide Wildfire Crisis: Across Europe, heat and drought are driving new blazes and mass evacuations, with reports of hundreds evacuated in Greece and France and arrests over suspected arson in France. Archaeology Tech: Croatian conservation researchers report an exceptional find: over 450 grams of gold recovered from a Byzantine shipwreck off the Croatian coast, including coins and a signet ring. Health & Work Conditions: A European survey on doctors warns of persistent problems implementing the European Working Time Directive, linking excessive hours to worsening health and intentions to leave the profession. Energy & Storage Finance: Econergy secured about €229 million financing for Romania’s Parau 2 solar-plus-battery project, including a long-term capacity award.

Wildfire Crisis in Croatia: A wind-driven blaze hit the Dalmatian tourist town of Omis overnight, killing 1, injuring 40 and forcing about 1,200 people to evacuate; emergency shelters housed evacuees and a maritime rescue operation was launched as flames threatened homes and vehicles. EU Heat & Drought Backdrop: Across Europe, record-breaking temperatures and dry conditions linked to climate change are fueling multiple fires, with evacuations also reported in Greece and France and major firefighting efforts in several countries. Robotaxis Go Bigger in Europe: Uber and Chinese autonomous-driving firm Pony.ai are expanding their partnership to deploy 2,000+ robotaxis across four additional European cities, building on the commercial Zagreb service that’s already operating via Uber and local partner Verne. Healthcare Work Pressure: A European survey finds physicians often exceed working-time limits under the EU directive, with worse physical and mental health and stronger intentions to leave the profession. Energy Investment: Econergy secured financing for Romania’s Parau 2 solar-plus-battery project, aiming for long-term revenue stability via a capacity award and grid flexibility.

Wildfires & Heatwave Crisis: A wildfire driven by strong winds hit Croatia’s Omis overnight, engulfing homes and trees over 1,000 hectares, injuring dozens (19 treated in Split; 7 life-threatening) and forcing about 1,000 people into shelters and evacuations as Europe swelters under record heat and drought. Public Safety Response: France reported 525 evacuations near Luglon after a blaze burned around 1,100 hectares, while Germany ordered about 1,800 evacuations as crews battle multiple fires across the continent. Autonomous Mobility in Croatia: Uber and Chinese robotaxi firm Pony.ai are expanding their partnership to deploy more than 2,000 robotaxis across Europe, building on the Zagreb commercial rollout with Uber’s platform access and local fleet operations. Energy Transition Finance: Econergy secured about €229m financing for Romania’s Parau 2 solar-plus-battery project, including long-term revenue support via a CfD capacity award. Tech & Data in Daily Life: Dubrovnik police used drones to catch 65 traffic offences in one operation, with seat-belt violations the most common. Language Skills Benchmark: EF’s 2025 English Proficiency Index ranks the Netherlands top, with Croatia climbing into the top tier. Water Safety in Croatia: Lika-Senj County water testing found no detectable PFAS in samples, with further lab results still pending.