- Baidu has started testing autonomous vehicles in London as part of its partnership with Lyft and Freenow.
- The testing, which began Tuesday with human safety operators, follows a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi across Europe.
- Freenow by Lyft expects to invite the public to hail their robotaxis in 2027, pending regulatory approval.
- Dozens of test vehicles will operate within London’s borough of Brent.
- Lyft and Freenow are in discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV).
- The UK government is creating autonomous vehicle regulations and opened applications for companies to test self-driving vehicles under government oversight.
- The trial is part of the companies’ plans to introduce public passenger services during 2027.
- Safety remains central to the program, with testing carried out in collaboration with regulators.
- The RT6 is Apollo Go’s sixth-generation autonomous vehicle designed specifically for ride-hailing operations.
- Freenow by Lyft will operate a hybrid network with human drivers alongside robotaxis.
- Research shows growing public interest in autonomous vehicles, with 58% of Londoners likely to try one.
- Support for autonomous vehicles is strongest among younger people, with nearly two-thirds of those under 35 in favor.
- Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, emphasized that their priority is ensuring autonomous technology supports professional drivers.
- Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu, stated that the arrival of Apollo Go vehicles in London marks a defining milestone in their global expansion.
Lyft and Baidu have officially begun testing Apollo Go autonomous vehicles in London, marking a significant step towards the introduction of driverless ride-hailing services. The testing commenced with human safety operators onboard in the London Borough of Brent, as part of a strategic partnership formed nearly a year ago.1269
The companies aim to launch their robotaxi service to the public in 2027, contingent on regulatory approval. They are currently in discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). Safety remains a central focus of the program, with testing conducted in collaboration with regulators to ensure a reliable and sustainable service.34
According to a survey commissioned by Freenow by Lyft, 48% of Londoners have never traveled in an autonomous vehicle, yet 58% expressed willingness to try one. Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, emphasized the importance of ensuring that autonomous technology supports professional drivers, stating, “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.”15
Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu, remarked, “The arrival of Apollo Go vehicles in London marks a defining milestone in our global expansion.” The UK government is actively developing regulations for autonomous vehicles, having opened applications for companies to test self-driving vehicles under government oversight.16
“The Apollo Go RT6 vehicles are currently being tested in London’s borough of Brent, with human safety operators onboard. Freenow by Lyft aims to operate a hybrid network, combining human drivers with robotaxis, to enhance vehicle availability and reduce passenger wait times.”
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