Baidu Launches London Robotaxi Testing Through Lyft and Freenow Partnership
Key Takeaways
- ▸Baidu begins real-world testing of Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis in London's Brent borough with human safety operators
- ▸Partnership aims to deploy autonomous vehicles across European markets with public service launch targeted for 2027
- ▸London emerging as a major battleground for robotaxi deployment, with competing services from Waymo, Uber/Wayve, and now Baidu/Lyft
Summary
Chinese tech giant Baidu has begun testing its Apollo Go RT6 autonomous vehicles in London as part of a strategic partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the German multi-mobility platform acquired by Lyft in 2025. The testing phase, which commenced with human safety operators in the borough of Brent, represents the latest phase of the companies' broader initiative to deploy robotaxis across key European markets. Baidu and Freenow by Lyft expect to invite the public to use their robotaxi service in 2027, pending regulatory approval and discussions with Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The launch adds to an increasingly crowded competitive landscape in London, where Waymo and Uber (partnered with Wayve) are also testing and preparing autonomous vehicle deployments.
- Service will operate a hybrid network combining autonomous vehicles with human-driven taxis and private-hire services to support professional drivers
