Uber and Lyft to test Baidu robotaxis in London next year, joining Waymo

In an exciting development for autonomous transportation, Uber and Lyft are gearing up to test Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxis in London, with plans set for 2026. This initiative follows similar efforts by Waymo and local startup Wayve, positioning London as a burgeoning hub for self-driving technologies. Lyft's CEO, David Risher, shared on social media that the company is poised to commence tests pending local regulatory approvals. He indicated ambitious plans to scale operations, aiming to deploy hundreds of Baidu's electric RT6 SUVs, although specific timelines for commercial rollout remain undisclosed. Uber, on the other hand, announced its own testing plans in London, part of a collaborative agreement with Baidu that was made public in July. The ride-hailing giant is targeting the first half of 2026 to begin its trials. These simultaneous efforts highlight a growing trend among Uber and Lyft, as they seek partnerships with Baidu, Waymo, and other entities to expand their autonomous vehicle operations globally.