Chinese internet giant Baidu has announced plans to deploy its autonomous robotaxis on the rideshare app Lyft in Germany and the United Kingdom by 2026, pending regulatory approval.
The two companies confirmed the partnership on Monday, stating that the driverless fleet—branded Apollo Go—would eventually expand to thousands of vehicles across Europe in the coming years. However, they did not specify which other countries are under consideration or how long the regulatory process might take.
This move follows Baidu’s recent agreement with Uber to launch robotaxis in Asia and the Middle East, as it aggressively pursues global leadership in autonomous driving technology.
Currently, driverless taxis operate in limited capacity in both the United States and China. In Wuhan, over 500 autonomous vehicles are available via app in specific zones. Shanghai’s Pudong financial district recently issued fresh operating permits to multiple companies, further expanding robotaxi access.
Chinese tech firms and car manufacturers have invested billions in self-driving technology as intelligent mobility becomes a focal point in China’s highly competitive car market.
Baidu is not the only Chinese firm aiming for global expansion. Rival company WeRide is active in the Gulf region and is leading a small-scale pilot in Switzerland. Similarly, Pony.ai revealed in May that it would soon launch its autonomous taxis on Uber in a major Middle Eastern market.
Meanwhile, San Francisco-based Lyft is strengthening its European footprint. In April, it acquired German taxi app FreeNow—marking its most substantial expansion outside North America to date.