Lyft to add autonomous shuttles in 2026 as Uber inks more self-driving deals

Lyft has revealed its plans to introduce autonomous shuttles, manufactured by the Austrian company Benteler Group, to its service by late 2026. This initiative aims to enhance Lyft’s offerings in collaboration with various U.S. cities and airports, with potential for further expansion based on the success of the program. The partnership allows Lyft to incorporate urban electric shuttles from Benteler’s mobility division, branded under Holon. Notably, these innovative shuttles will be designed without a steering wheel or pedals, featuring inward-facing seating arrangements that can accommodate up to nine seated passengers and six standing passengers, as reported by Bloomberg News, which initially covered the partnership announcement. This move aligns with a series of recent developments from Lyft's key competitor, Uber, which has been actively expanding its fleet of self-driving vehicles. Uber has introduced robotaxis from companies like Waymo and WeRide across numerous cities globally. Furthermore, Uber is also looking to integrate vehicles from Baidu, Pony AI, Momenta, May Mobility, Volkswagen, Wayve, and has recently secured agreements with Nuro and Lucid Motors. While Lyft continues to develop its own autonomous vehicle capabilities, it faces challenges. The company is slated to introduce AVs from May Mobility to its Atlanta network later this year and is collaborating with Mobileye for additional advancements. However, specific details regarding the manufacturer of these vehicles remain uncertain. It is essential to note that although Mobileye’s technology powers the Holon shuttles, Lyft clarified that these partnerships are separate from the current arrangements.