Uber and Lyft Collaborate with Baidu to Launch Robotaxi Trials in the UK
Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. are collaborating with Baidu Inc. to launch trials of driverless taxis in the UK, as the race among ride-sharing companies to deploy autonomous services intensifies globally.
On Monday, Uber announced that a pilot program utilizing Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis in London is set to commence in the first half of 2026. The company anticipates launching commercial services in the city before the end of next year.
In a separate initiative, Lyft is also planning to conduct tests in the UK next year with a fleet of the same vehicles, pending regulatory approval. This information was shared via an X post by Lyft’s Chief Executive Officer, David Risher.
Read more: Driverless Taxis Are Heading to UK, but Who’s Liable When Something Goes Wrong?
The global rollout of robotaxis is gaining momentum, with Chinese companies like Baidu and Weride Inc., along with Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo, leading the charge. Uber and Weride have already initiated driverless operations in Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand further into the Middle East. Meanwhile, Baidu is conducting trials in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Switzerland.
American self-driving technology company Waymo has also begun tests in London this month.
In 2020, Uber shifted away from in-house development of autonomous driving technology, opting instead to forge partnerships with various robotaxi companies. In a recent interview with Bloomberg Television, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated that the company aims to provide driverless services in over 10 markets by the end of next year.
Other ride-hailing platforms are adopting similar strategies. Lyft has already secured a deal with Baidu to introduce robotaxis in Europe, while Southeast Asia’s Grab is collaborating with Chinese firms Weride and Momenta.
The profitability of the robotaxi model remains uncertain. Companies like Pony AI Inc. and Weride are still operating at a loss despite having sold shares to raise capital.
Photograph: A Baidu Inc. Apollo RT6 robotaxi in Wuhan, China. Source: Bloomberg
Related:
Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
Topics
Sharing Economy
Ridesharing
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Interested in Ridesharing?
Get automatic alerts for this topic.
Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. are collaborating with Baidu Inc. to launch trials of driverless taxis in the UK, as the race among ride-sharing companies to deploy autonomous services intensifies globally.
On Monday, Uber announced that a pilot program utilizing Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis in London is set to commence in the first half of 2026. The company anticipates launching commercial services in the city before the end of next year.
In a separate initiative, Lyft is also planning to conduct tests in the UK next year with a fleet of the same vehicles, pending regulatory approval. This information was shared via an X post by Lyft’s Chief Executive Officer, David Risher.
Read more: Driverless Taxis Are Heading to UK, but Who’s Liable When Something Goes Wrong?
The global rollout of robotaxis is gaining momentum, with Chinese companies like Baidu and Weride Inc., along with Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo, leading the charge. Uber and Weride have already initiated driverless operations in Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand further into the Middle East. Meanwhile, Baidu is conducting trials in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Switzerland.
American self-driving technology company Waymo has also begun tests in London this month.
In 2020, Uber shifted away from in-house development of autonomous driving technology, opting instead to forge partnerships with various robotaxi companies. In a recent interview with Bloomberg Television, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated that the company aims to provide driverless services in over 10 markets by the end of next year.
Other ride-hailing platforms are adopting similar strategies. Lyft has already secured a deal with Baidu to introduce robotaxis in Europe, while Southeast Asia’s Grab is collaborating with Chinese firms Weride and Momenta.
The profitability of the robotaxi model remains uncertain. Companies like Pony AI Inc. and Weride are still operating at a loss despite having sold shares to raise capital.
Photograph: A Baidu Inc. Apollo RT6 robotaxi in Wuhan, China. Source: Bloomberg
Related:
Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
Topics
Sharing Economy
Ridesharing
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Interested in Ridesharing?
Get automatic alerts for this topic.
