Baidu Apollo RT6 robotaxi during Baidu’s Apollo Day in Wuhan, China, Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
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Chinese technology giant Baidu The company has announced plans to bring robotaxis to London starting next year through a partnership with Lyft and Uber, as the UK emerges as a battleground for self-driving cars.
The announced partnership will see Baidu’s Apollo Go self-driving car brought to the UK capital. Uber and lift Both companies said on their respective social media accounts.
Lyft’s initial test of a few dozen Baidu vehicles will begin in 2026, pending regulatory approval, and “from there we plan to expand to hundreds of vehicles,” Lyft CEO David Risher said in a post on social media platform X on Monday.
Meanwhile, Uber said its first trials are expected to begin in the first half of 2026, adding: “We’re excited to offer Londoners new safe and reliable travel options next year and accelerate the UK’s leadership in future mobility.”
The move adds to Baidu’s expansion of its global footprint, which includes 22 cities and more than 250,000 weekly trips, putting it in competition with other Chinese companies. we ride and the giants of the west alphabetWaymo.
In the UK in particular, interest from driverless taxi companies has increased after the government announced in June that it would accelerate plans to allow self-driving technology on public roads.
The government is currently aiming to begin permitting small-scale robotaxi trials in spring 2026, and Baidu is likely aiming to be one of the first companies to do so.
The City of London has also set a Vision Zero goal of reducing serious injuries and fatalities on public transport to zero by 2041, and autonomous driving technology is expected to play a major role.
News of Baidu’s trial comes as rival Waymo also plans to begin testing in London, with plans to launch full service in 2026. Waymo currently plans to launch or test the service in 26 markets, including major cities such as Tokyo and New York City.
Baidu is aggressively expanding in the United States and testing in international markets such as the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.
