Uber and Lyft to Pilot Baidu Robotaxis in London; UK Trials Set for H1 2026

Uber Technologies and Lyft have announced simultaneous plans to integrate Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicles into their UK networks starting in the first half of 2026. The move signals a major escalation in the race to commercialize driverless mobility and positions London as Europe’s primary battleground for the "hybrid network" model.

The initiative marks a strategic convergence: rather than building proprietary hardware, both ride-hailing giants are pivoting to an asset-light model, partnering with Baidu’s Apollo Go unit to accelerate market entry. Lyft CEO David Risher confirmed the development on X (formerly Twitter) today, stating the initial fleet will consist of 50 Apollo Go RT6 vehicles—purpose-built EVs with detachable steering wheels—deployed specifically via Lyft’s newly acquired European arm, FreeNow.

Lyft’s European Re-Entry via FreeNow

For Lyft, the 2026 pilot is the first operational fruit of its $197 million acquisition of the FreeNow mobility platform, finalized on July 31, 2025. After years of being focused primarily on North America, the acquisition gave Lyft instant access to taxi licenses in London and infrastructure across nine European countries. By deploying Baidu’s robotaxis through the FreeNow interface, Lyft aims to challenge Uber’s long-standing dominance in the UK capital.

The "Open Platform" Shift

The partnership reflects a shift in the autonomous sector toward open-platform ecosystems. Baidu is effectively acting as a fleet supplier, listing its vehicles on multiple platforms simultaneously to maximize utilization rates. While Waymo commenced mapping and validation testing in London earlier this month (December 2025) using Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, Baidu is targeting the mass market with its lower-cost hardware. The Chinese tech giant has already expanded its footprint to Switzerland, launching the "AmiGo" service with PostBus this month, and the UAE.

Regulatory and Economic Hurdles

Despite the momentum, the deployment faces scrutiny. Industry analysts note that Baidu’s entry into the UK required stringent data-residency agreements to comply with the UK Automated Vehicles Act, which saw critical secondary legislation frameworks updated in June 2025.

The economics also remains challenging. Listed autonomous firms like Pony.ai and WeRide continue to report operational losses—$61.6 million and $43.3 million respectively for Q3 2025—despite surging revenues. To mitigate this, Uber and Lyft will utilize a "hybrid dispatch" system: robotaxis will service predictable, high-density zones in Central London, while human drivers handle complex routes and demand surges.

Summary

Uber and Lyft will launch parallel robotaxi trials in London in H1 2026, utilizing Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6 vehicles. The move follows Lyft’s strategic return to Europe via its $197 million acquisition of FreeNow in July 2025. The trials, enabled by the UK’s 2025 regulatory updates, will test a "hybrid" model where Chinese autonomous hardware is dispatched via US-based apps to balance cost and coverage.

FAQs

Q1: What vehicle will be used in the UK trials? 

The pilots will utilize the Baidu Apollo Go RT6, a Level 4 autonomous vehicle. It features a detachable steering wheel and a reconfigurable interior with a production cost of approximately $37,000.

Q2: How is Lyft operating in London if they don't have a license? 

Lyft is operating through its subsidiary FreeNow, which it acquired in July 2025. The robotaxis will be bookable via the "FreeNow by Lyft" app, which holds valid private hire and taxi licenses in London.

Q3: What is the regulatory status of driverless cars in the UK? 

The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 provides the legal framework. Following secondary legislation in June 2025, the government is now accepting applications for "no-user-in-charge" commercial pilots starting in Spring 2026.

Q4: Are there privacy concerns regarding Baidu? 

To gain UK approval, Baidu has committed to using UK-based cloud servers to ensure mapping and passenger data remain within the local jurisdiction, as required by the DfT's latest cybersecurity guidelines.

Q5: Is Waymo also in London? 

Yes. Waymo announced its London expansion in October 2025 and began active safety-driver trials in December 2025, setting the stage for a competitive 2026.