Baidu Initiates Robotaxi Trials in London with Lyft and Freenow Partnership
Baidu has commenced testing its Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis in London, marking a significant step in autonomous vehicle trials in the city. The trials are conducted in partnership with Lyft and Freenow, with human safety operators present in the vehicles. This initiative is part of a broader trend of autonomous vehicle testing in London, with other companies like Waymo and Uber also conducting trials. The partnership allows Baidu to leverage Lyft's acquisition of Freenow, a German taxi and multi-mobility app, to introduce its technology in a Western regulated city. The trials are seen as a precursor to a potential public launch in 2027, pending regulatory approval from Transport for London and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. 
