Lyft Partners with Baidu to Bring Autonomous Rides to Europe
Lyft has recently unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with Chinese tech behemoth Baidu to introduce fully autonomous robotaxi rides in Europe. The initial launch is slated for Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026, pending regulatory approval.
Under this collaboration, Baidu’s Apollo Go platform will provide its sixth-generation RT6 autonomous electric vehicles to Lyft’s network. This move marks a significant milestone for Baidu’s global expansion and positions Lyft as a key player in the autonomous mobility sector in Europe. The two companies will collaborate to expand their operations across the continent in the coming years.
Baidu’s Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO, Robin Li, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Our partnership with Lyft to deploy Apollo Go in Europe, starting with Germany and the United Kingdom, is a significant milestone in our global journey. By integrating Baidu’s cutting-edge autonomous driving technology with Lyft’s platform reach and operational expertise, we’re excited to deliver safer, greener, and more efficient mobility solutions to more users.”
Lyft CEO David Risher echoed Li’s sentiments, emphasizing the focus on providing a superior customer experience. Risher noted, “Our partnership with Baidu is all about creating a great customer experience. Their extensive track record operating the world’s largest autonomous ride-hailing service means we can bring all the benefits of AVs — safety, reliability, and privacy — to millions of Europeans.”
Baidu’s Apollo Go currently stands as the world’s largest autonomous ride-hailing service, with more than 11 million rides completed globally and over 1,000 AVs deployed across 15 cities in China. Notably, Baidu had previously collaborated with Tesla to enhance Full Self-Driving (FSD) navigation in China earlier this year, although Tesla’s FSD technology is still pending regulatory approval in the country.
While Tesla continues to expand its Robotaxi pilot in Austin, Texas, and introduces a human-supervised version in the San Francisco Bay Area, its autonomous ambitions in Europe remain on hold. Lyft’s acquisition of FREENOW, operating in over 180 cities across nine countries, will bolster its European presence and provide direct relationships with regulators — a crucial aspect for the widespread launch of AVs.
Lyft envisions a hybrid network approach that combines AVs and human drivers, prioritizing customer experience, safety, and sustainability. With most players in Europe still years away from launching AVs, the partnership between Lyft and Baidu could position them as pioneers in the region’s autonomous future.