Baidu eyes Europe with plans to test driverless taxis in Switzerland

Baidu, the Chinese tech powerhouse, is gearing up to launch its self-driving ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, in Europe—signaling a bold leap forward in the company’s global ambitions. According to reports, the company aims to set up operations in Switzerland, with initial testing of its driverless taxi technology expected to begin by the end of the year.

Baidu is said to be in discussions with Swiss bus company PostAuto—an arm of the state-run Swiss Post group—about the possibility of launching its robotaxi service in Switzerland. However, Swiss Post clarified in a statement that no official partnership with Baidu currently exists. Still, the company acknowledged that it is exploring future mobility solutions and evolving customer needs.

At the same time, Baidu is exploring the launch of Apollo Go in Turkey, hinting at a wider strategy to trial its autonomous driving technology across diverse international markets.

Apollo Go is already operational in several major Chinese cities, with the largest deployment in Wuhan, where Baidu manages a fleet of over 400 autonomous vehicles. If successful, the European trials could position Baidu as a serious player in the global autonomous mobility market—an area still largely dominated by American and European tech and automotive firms.

The move comes as competition intensifies in the self-driving space, and regulatory frameworks in Europe begin to mature, offering opportunities for companies with proven track records in autonomy. For Baidu, expanding Apollo Go internationally could not only diversify its business but also accelerate global acceptance of its autonomous technology.

Summary:

Baidu is preparing to test its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Switzerland, with a possible launch in Turkey also on the horizon. While no formal partnerships have been confirmed, discussions with Swiss transport operators signal growing momentum. A successful rollout in Europe could elevate Baidu's position in the global autonomous vehicle market, challenging established players and opening doors for future commercial deployment.