Lyft Introduces Robotaxi Services to Europe, Set to Debut in Germany by 2026
Lyft, a popular ride-hailing service, has announced its plans to expand its operations into Europe, marking a significant move for the company. Unlike its globally established rival, Lyft has only been available in the US and some cities in Canada[1].
In partnership with Chinese tech giant Baidu, Lyft aims to introduce thousands of autonomous robotaxis across Europe starting in 2026, with Germany and the UK as initial locations[2]. The deployment of these vehicles will be contingent on approvals by local regulators[1][2][3].
Baidu's Apollo Go system, which has been operating in 11 Chinese cities since 2020 and is expanding internationally, will power these robotaxis[1][3][4]. The aim is to leverage Baidu’s autonomous driving technology combined with Lyft’s operational and platform expertise[1][4].
Lyft recently expanded its European presence by acquiring the German multi-mobility app FREENOW, which operates in over 180 cities across 9 European countries[2][3]. This acquisition will help deepen local ties and relationships with regulators and taxi operators, especially in Germany and the UK.
Baidu’s RT6 vehicles with Apollo Go self-driving technology will be integrated into Lyft’s ride-hailing app, supporting a "hybrid network" approach where autonomous vehicles and human drivers coexist to offer options to riders[2].
This move by Lyft comes after it exited its own internal AV programs and now partners with companies like Baidu that lead AV technology development[2]. Meanwhile, Uber is aiming to become a platform for self-driving cars from various developers, but no details about its European expansion have been announced.
[1] https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/20/lyft-baidu-apollo-robotaxis-europe/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/lyft-baidu-to-deploy-thousands-of-robotaxis-in-europe-2022-06-21/ [3] https://www.lyft.com/blog/lyft-baidu-partnership [4] https://www.baidu.com/en/apollo/news/detail/20220621-143226.html
- The integration of Baidu's Apollo Go system, which has been operating in both domestic and international cities, will be instrumental in powering the autonomous robotaxis that Lyft plans to deploy across Europe, as part of their partnership with the Chinese tech giant.
- Leveraging Baidu’s autonomous driving technology combined with Lyft’s operational and platform expertise, the company aims to foster a "hybrid network" approach in Europe, where autonomous vehicles and human drivers coexist, providing diverse options to riders.
