Chinese technology leader Baidu has commenced testing its autonomous Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis on the streets of London, in collaboration with Lyft and Freenow, the mobility platform Lyft acquired in 2025 for approximately $197 million. This trial phase involves human safety operators and marks a significant step following the strategic partnership formed nearly a year ago to introduce Baidu’s self-driving vehicles across key European markets via Lyft’s platform. The deployment within London will focus initially in the borough of Brent as the companies work closely with local authorities including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.

London is emerging as a central competitive arena for robotaxi services, with other major players such as Waymo and Uber entering the scene. Waymo initiated tests with safety drivers earlier this year, while Uber and its self-driving partner Wayve have announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in the city, beginning with human-monitored rides before progressing to fully autonomous operations. The launch of Baidu and Freenow’s robotaxi service is anticipated in 2027, pending regulatory approvals and successful completion of testing.

The UK government is actively supporting the development of autonomous vehicles, currently shaping new regulations and offering pilot program opportunities that allow companies to test self-driving cars under official oversight. Freenow by Lyft intends to operate a hybrid fleet model where autonomous vehicles and human-driven taxis coexist, emphasizing support for professional drivers during this transition. CEO Thomas Zimmermann highlighted the importance of ensuring autonomous technology complements and benefits the existing driver base that keeps the city moving.

This strategic move positions Lyft and Baidu to aggressively pursue a share in Europe's growing robotaxi market, leveraging Freenow’s established presence and Baidu's advanced autonomous technology. As regulatory frameworks solidify and technology matures, these efforts underscore a broader trend toward integrating self-driving vehicles within metropolitan ride-hailing services, indicating a transformative future for urban mobility in London and beyond.