Baidu begins testing self-driving cars in London with Lyft and Freenow ahead of 2027 robotaxi launch

Chinese tech company Baidu has started testing autonomous vehicles in London in partnership with Lyft and Freenow, a German multi-mobility app owned by Lyft. The tests, which include human safety operators, are part of a plan to deploy Baidu's Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis commercially in Europe, with a public launch expected in 2027 pending regulatory approval. This move positions London as a key market in the race for robotaxi services, alongside competitors like Waymo and Uber. The companies plan to operate a hybrid network where human drivers and robotaxis coexist to support professional drivers in the city.