Baidu, Lyft Partner To Launch Driverless Taxis In Europe Starting 2026

Baidu will launch its driverless taxis in Europe starting in 2026 through a partnership with U.S. ride-hailing firm Lyft, according to CNBC. The move marks a new phase in the Chinese tech giant’s global robotaxi expansion. The vehicles will first deploy in the U.K. and Germany, with plans to scale into “thousands” across Europe in the coming years, pending regulatory approval. The move follows Baidu’s recent deal with Uber to deploy autonomous vehicles in the Middle East and Asia. Baidu’s Apollo Go service has operated in major Chinese cities since 2021. Lyft recently closed its acquisition of Germany-based FreeNow, a ride-hailing service active in over 150 cities across nine countries, giving the company new entry points into Europe.