Chinese tech giant Baidu to introduce robotaxis on rideshare platform, Lyft.
Baidu's Apollo Go to Launch Driverless Cars in Europe, Starting with Germany and the UK in 2026
The race for intelligent driving has found its way to China's domestic car market, and the latest player making waves is Baidu. The tech giant has announced plans to deploy its sixth-generation autonomous vehicles (RT6) in Europe, starting with Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
This move marks a significant expansion for Baidu, as it partners with major ride-hailing companies Lyft and Uber. Lyft will integrate Apollo Go’s autonomous vehicles (AVs) into its platform, offering rides through the Lyft app in multiple European countries where it operates, currently spanning nine countries and over 150 cities.
The strategic partnership aims to combine Baidu’s AI and autonomous driving technology with Lyft’s and Uber’s operational expertise and platform reach. Beyond 2026, the plan includes a progressive expansion into further European markets, scaling the fleet to thousands of robotaxis.
Lyft is also planting a flag in the European market with the acquisition of German taxi app Freenow. This move follows San Francisco-based Lyft's investment of billions of dollars into self-driving technology in recent years.
Meanwhile, in China, driverless taxis are currently available on some roads with limited capacity, notably in Wuhan and Shanghai's financial district Pudong. Another Chinese company, WeRide, is also active in the Gulf region, with plans to launch self-driving taxis on Uber in a key market in the Middle East later this year.
The timeline for gaining regulatory approval for the initial deployment is unclear, but the deployment in Germany and the UK is the first phase of a broader global expansion for Baidu, as it intensifies competition with other autonomous vehicle leaders like Waymo and Tesla.
[1] Baidu's Apollo Go to Deploy Driverless Cars in Europe Starting with Germany and the UK in 2026
[2] Lyft to Acquire German Taxi App Freenow
[3] Driverless Taxis Available on Some Roads in the US and China
[4] WeRide Picked to Lead Small Pilot Project in Switzerland
[5] Baidu Announces Agreement with Uber for Autonomous Driving in Asia and the Middle East
- Baidu's Apollo Go is set to utilize its advanced technology in autonomous driving as they prepare to deploy driverless cars in Europe, starting in Germany and the UK in 2026.
- Lyft is expanding its reach in Europe by acquiring the German taxi app Freenow, integrating cutting-edge technology into its ridesharing services.
