Baidu has launched autonomous vehicle testing in London through its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, becoming the latest technology company to advance robotaxi development in the United Kingdom ahead of planned commercial services.
The testing program, which began with human safety operators behind the wheel, follows the strategic partnership announced by Baidu and Lyft in 2025 to introduce Baidu’s purpose-built Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis to major European markets. The autonomous vehicles will eventually be available through Freenow, the mobility platform acquired by Lyft in 2025.
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London Becomes Key Robotaxi Testing Hub
The initial fleet is operating within the London borough of Brent, where dozens of autonomous vehicles are being tested under real-world driving conditions with onboard safety operators.
Baidu and Freenow expect to begin offering autonomous ride-hailing services to members of the public in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.
The companies said they continue to work closely with Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) as the UK government develops regulations governing autonomous vehicle deployment.
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The British government opened applications earlier this year for companies seeking to participate in supervised autonomous vehicle pilot programs.
Competition Intensifies in the UK Robotaxi Market
London has emerged as one of Europe’s most competitive markets for autonomous mobility services.
Earlier this year, Waymo began testing self-driving vehicles with human safety operators in the city.
Meanwhile, Uber and autonomous driving technology company Wayve have announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London, initially operating with safety drivers before transitioning to fully driverless operations.
The growing number of pilot programs highlights increasing competition among global technology companies seeking an early advantage in Europe’s autonomous ride-hailing market.
Hybrid Network to Combine Robotaxis and Human Drivers
Once commercial operations begin, Freenow plans to integrate autonomous vehicles into its existing ride-hailing platform rather than replacing conventional transport services.
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The company said robotaxis will operate alongside licensed taxis and private-hire vehicles in a hybrid mobility network designed to expand transportation options for passengers.
“As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving,” said Thomas Zimmermann, Chief Executive Officer of Freenow by Lyft.
Lyft entered the European ride-hailing market through its acquisition of Freenow, providing the company with an established operating platform for future autonomous vehicle services.
The collaboration with Baidu combines Apollo Go’s autonomous driving technology and RT6 robotaxis with Freenow’s local operations and customer network as both companies prepare for the next phase of commercial deployment in Europe.
