BAIDU LAUNCHES ROBOTAXI TESTS IN LONDON WITH LYFT

Baidu's purpose-built RT6 robotaxis are currently undergoing testing in outer London with human safety operators on board. The vehicles will be available to users through Freenow, the mobility network that Lyft acquired in 2025. The partnership represents a significant move in the global robotaxi race, bringing Chinese autonomous vehicle technology to a major European city. Baidu's Apollo Go platform has previously operated in Chinese cities and has been expanding internationally. The London deployment adds to growing competition in the autonomous vehicle sector, where companies including Waymo and others are scaling operations across multiple markets. Testing phases typically run for several months before broader commercial rollouts. Freenow's existing user base and infrastructure provide Baidu with established access to London's ride-hailing market, potentially accelerating the path to wider deployment.