Lyft and Baidu Expand Robotaxi Plans to Europe

Lyft to Integrate Chinese Robotaxis into European Operations

Lyft is planning to extend its services into Europe with the inclusion of robotaxis manufactured in China.

The U.S.-based ride-hailing company revealed on Monday a strategic alliance with Baidu. This collaboration aims to introduce Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicles to multiple European countries.

Deployment Plans for Germany and the UK

The companies are targeting a 2026 launch for robotaxi services in both Germany and the United Kingdom. However, this timeline is contingent upon receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.

Upon approval, Baidu’s RT6 vehicles, powered by the Apollo Go self-driving system, will be seamlessly incorporated into the Lyft ride-hailing application.

Lyft’s Hybrid Network Approach

Lyft CEO David Risher emphasized that this robotaxi service exemplifies the company’s “hybrid network approach.” This strategy involves a collaborative operation between autonomous vehicles and human drivers.

The goal is to deliver rider-focused transportation options.

Lyft’s European Market Entry

Historically, Lyft’s ride-hailing operations have been primarily focused on the United States.

In contrast, its competitor, Uber, has pursued global expansion and diversified into areas such as food delivery.

Earlier this year, Lyft gained access to the European market through the acquisition of the German multi-mobility app, FREENOW.

The acquisition, valued at approximately $197 million in cash from BMW and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, marked Lyft’s first venture outside of North America.

The Race for Autonomous Vehicle Partnerships

Both Lyft and Uber have discontinued their internal autonomous vehicle development programs.

Consequently, both companies are actively seeking partnerships with technology developers like Baidu.

Uber’s Extensive Partnerships

Uber has already established collaborations with over 18 companies. These partnerships cover a wide range of applications for self-driving systems.

These include ride-hailing, delivery services, and trucking.

Recent deals announced by Uber include partnerships with May Mobility (Ann Arbor, Michigan) and Volkswagen, as well as Chinese autonomous driving companies Momenta, WeRide, and Baidu.

Furthermore, Uber recently invested significantly in EV manufacturer Lucid and autonomous vehicle technology startup Nuro, aiming to launch a premium robotaxi service.

Lyft’s Strategic Partnerships

While Lyft’s pace of deal-making hasn’t matched Uber’s, it has formed several key partnerships in the past year.

These include plans to integrate autonomous shuttles from Austrian manufacturer Benteler Group into its network by late 2026.

Lyft also intends to deploy autonomous vehicles from May Mobility in Atlanta later this year.