Chinese language tech big Baidu has began testing autonomous autos in London as a part of its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the German taxi and multi-mobility app that Lyft now owns. Baidu is the newest in a string of firms to check self-driving know-how within the UK forward of economic robotaxi deployments.
The testing, which started Tuesday with human security operators, comes practically a yr after the 2 firms struck a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu’s purpose-built Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi throughout key European markets by way of the Lyft platform. The autos will ultimately be out there by way of Freenow, which Lyft acquired in 2025 for about $197 million.
That deal gave Lyft a foothold in Europe’s ride-hailing market, the place a handful of well-funded firms are actually jockeying to be first to market with robotaxis.
London is specific is shaping as much as be a key battleground within the area. In April, Waymo started testing its autonomous autos with human security operators within the metropolis. Uber and its self-driving tech associate, Wayve, additionally introduced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this yr. That preliminary service — which clients can now join on an interest list — may have human security operators behind the wheel earlier than absolutely driverless operations start later.
Baidu and Freenow by Lyft (because the latter service is now referred to as) stated they count on to ask the general public to hail their robotaxis in 2027. The businesses, which didn’t present a extra detailed timeline, famous that the launch will depend upon regulatory approval.
For now, dozens of take a look at autos will function inside London’s borough of Brent. Lyft and Freenow stated they proceed discussions with security and metropolis officers, together with Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Related and Autonomous Automobiles (CCAV). The UK authorities is within the course of of making autonomous automobile rules and opened functions in Could for firms fascinated by an AV pilot program that lets firms take a look at self-driving autos beneath authorities oversight.
When the service does launch, Freenow by Lyft stated it would function a hybrid community — using the identical language rival Uber has used — which means human drivers working taxis and private-hire autos will work alongside the robotaxis.
“As a platform with deep roots within the taxi business, our precedence is guaranteeing that autonomous know-how helps the skilled drivers who hold London shifting,” Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, stated in a press release.
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