Lyft to Launch Baidu’s Self-Driving Cars in Europe by 2026

• Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous cars will launch on the Lyft platform in Germany and the UK, pending regulatory approval.
• Lyft will run the service while Baidu provides the vehicles and driving tech, with plans to expand across Europe.

Lyft is teaming up with Baidu to launch self-driving ride services in Europe, starting in 2026. The first cities will be in Germany and the UK, where Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6 vehicles will operate through Lyft’s app pending regulatory sign-off.

Lyft will manage the rider experience and operations. Baidu, whose Apollo Go has run over 1,000 AVs and has completed more than 11 million rides in China, will supply the cars and support. The RT6 model includes safety systems, sensors, and interactive tech built for rideshare use.

"Our partnership with Lyft to deploy Apollo Go in Europe, starting with Germany and the United Kingdom, is a significant milestone in our global journey," said Robin Li, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Baidu, in an official press release. "This collaboration represents our commitment to making autonomous mobility accessible worldwide while working with local partners who understand their communities. By integrating Baidu's cutting-edge autonomous driving technology with Lyft's platform reach and operational expertise, we're excited to deliver safer, greener, and more efficient mobility solutions to more users."

This marks Baidu’s first move into European ride-hailing and builds on Lyft’s presence through its FREENOW network. The companies say the focus now is on working with local authorities to get ready for launch.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

The Baidu x Lyft announcement arrives on the heels of recent partnership announcements both from Lyft and its rival Uber, pairing rideshare networks with self-driving hardware companies. These announcements signal that the next race in ride-sharing is an autonomous one.

Source: Lyft, Inc.