Baidu plans to expand its robotaxis to Europe with Lyft deal

Baidu is set to introduce its autonomous taxi service across Europe next year, thanks to a strategic partnership with the American ride-hailing company Lyft. This move marks a significant step in Baidu's ambition to take its driverless vehicles beyond its domestic market. The initial rollout will occur in the United Kingdom and Germany, with plans for thousands of robotaxis to operate throughout Europe in the coming years. This expansion comes on the heels of Lyft's recent acquisition of FreeNow, a German ride-hailing service that operates in over 150 cities across nine European countries, including Ireland, the U.K., Germany, and France. Both companies indicated that the deployment of these autonomous vehicles is contingent upon receiving the necessary regulatory approvals. While it remains uncertain whether Baidu's robotaxis will be integrated into the FreeNow app or another platform, the collaboration signals Baidu's intent to broaden its international presence. Last month, Baidu also forged a partnership with Uber, aiming to offer its self-driving technology outside of the United States and mainland China, with a focus on markets in the Middle East and Asia. In China, Baidu has been operating its Apollo Go robotaxi service since 2021, enabling users to request rides through its app in major cities like Beijing. For Lyft, this collaboration with Baidu could provide a unique advantage in the competitive European market, where it faces challenges from established rivals such as Uber and Bolt. As the demand for autonomous vehicles continues to grow, ride-hailing firms are increasingly looking to align with companies at the forefront of driverless technology. In the U.K., for example, Lyft's competitor Uber has partnered with Wayve to initiate trials of fully autonomous rides starting in spring 2026.