Lyft and Baidu enter London's robotaxi battleground
Lyft and Baidu enter London's robotaxi race as Baidu's Apollo Go vehicles begin supervised testing in the capital through Freenow by Lyft. The RT6 robotaxis will run with human safety operators in Brent now, with public rides eyed for 2027 pending UK regulatory approval.
Key Takeaways
- Baidu has started Apollo Go RT6 testing in London with Lyft-owned Freenow.
- Dozens of vehicles will operate in Brent with human safety operators aboard.
- Public robotaxi hailing is targeted for 2027, subject to regulators.
- Waymo and Uber-Wayve are also pursuing London robotaxi plans.
- Freenow by Lyft plans a hybrid network of drivers and robotaxis.
Chinese tech giant Baidu has begun testing autonomous vehicles in London under its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the European mobility app Lyft acquired in 2025 for about $197 million. The move puts Baidu among several firms racing toward commercial robotaxis in the UK, a fast-moving corner of Future Tech & AI Wonders.
According to TechCrunch, testing began Tuesday with safety operators, nearly a year after Lyft and Baidu agreed to deploy Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis across key European markets via the Lyft platform.
Why does London matter for robotaxi rivals?
London is emerging as Europe's key robotaxi battleground. Waymo began supervised AV testing in the city in April. Uber and its self-driving partner Wayve also plan a London robotaxi service this year, starting with safety operators before later driverless operations, and riders can already join an interest list.
Baidu is the latest entrant in that crowded field, using Freenow by Lyft as its local distribution channel after Lyft's European foothold deal.
When can Londoners hail a Baidu robotaxi?
Not yet. For now, dozens of test vehicles will operate inside London's borough of Brent. Baidu and Freenow by Lyft say they expect to invite the public to hail robotaxis in 2027, without a more detailed timeline, and only if regulators approve.
Lyft and Freenow say talks continue with Transport for London and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. The UK government is drafting AV rules and opened applications in May for a supervised self-driving pilot program.
How will Freenow by Lyft run the service?
When launched, Freenow by Lyft says it will run a hybrid network: human taxi and private-hire drivers working alongside robotaxis. CEO Thomas Zimmermann said the priority is ensuring autonomous tech supports the professional drivers who keep London moving.
That framing mirrors language rival Uber has used as London's robotaxi race heats up from supervised pilots toward commercial rides.