Uber and Lyft to Launch Baidu-Powered Autonomous Taxi Trials in the UK
Partnerships with Chinese tech giant Baidu will see driverless taxis tested on London’s streets from 2026 under Britain’s new autonomous vehicles framework.
Ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft have announced plans to introduce autonomous taxi trials in the United Kingdom in collaboration with China’s Baidu, signalling a major step in the global adoption of self-driving technology.
The companies said they intend to begin testing Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicles in London in 2026, pending regulatory approval under the UK’s recently updated legal framework for driverless transport.
Under the separate partnerships, both Uber and Lyft will seek to integrate Baidu’s RT6 robotaxis into their platforms, with Lyft’s chief executive, David Risher, stating that an initial fleet of dozens of vehicles is expected to begin trials next year, with a plan to scale to hundreds if approvals are granted.
Uber will participate in the pilot scheme established by the British government, which has accelerated its autonomous vehicle programme and aims to allow driverless taxis and small autonomous buses to operate commercially as early as spring 2026. The move marks a rare instance of American ride-hailing firms teaming up with a Chinese autonomous vehicle provider to compete in a European capital, joining other players such as Alphabet’s Waymo and UK-based startup Wayve, which are also preparing robotaxi trials for London.
Baidu’s Apollo Go system, which already operates extensively in Asia, is expected to bring significant experience to the tests, having completed millions of autonomous rides in cities across China and other markets.
The partnerships reflect broader momentum in the global robotaxi sector, as companies race to establish commercial services that could reshape urban mobility, offering safer, more efficient and potentially lower-cost alternatives to traditional ride-hailing.
While the technology’s long-term profitability remains uncertain and regulators continue to assess safety standards, Britain’s position as a leading testbed for autonomous vehicles underscores official efforts to attract innovation and investment in next-generation transportation.
The companies said they intend to begin testing Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicles in London in 2026, pending regulatory approval under the UK’s recently updated legal framework for driverless transport.
Under the separate partnerships, both Uber and Lyft will seek to integrate Baidu’s RT6 robotaxis into their platforms, with Lyft’s chief executive, David Risher, stating that an initial fleet of dozens of vehicles is expected to begin trials next year, with a plan to scale to hundreds if approvals are granted.
Uber will participate in the pilot scheme established by the British government, which has accelerated its autonomous vehicle programme and aims to allow driverless taxis and small autonomous buses to operate commercially as early as spring 2026. The move marks a rare instance of American ride-hailing firms teaming up with a Chinese autonomous vehicle provider to compete in a European capital, joining other players such as Alphabet’s Waymo and UK-based startup Wayve, which are also preparing robotaxi trials for London.
Baidu’s Apollo Go system, which already operates extensively in Asia, is expected to bring significant experience to the tests, having completed millions of autonomous rides in cities across China and other markets.
The partnerships reflect broader momentum in the global robotaxi sector, as companies race to establish commercial services that could reshape urban mobility, offering safer, more efficient and potentially lower-cost alternatives to traditional ride-hailing.
While the technology’s long-term profitability remains uncertain and regulators continue to assess safety standards, Britain’s position as a leading testbed for autonomous vehicles underscores official efforts to attract innovation and investment in next-generation transportation.
