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Lyft and Baidu bring autonomous vehicles to Germany and the UK
Lyft and Baidu have announced a strategic partnership to introduce autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Europe. Starting in 2026, the first Apollo Go RT6 vehicles are set to be deployed in Germany and the United Kingdom. The launch is subject to the necessary approvals from the relevant regulatory authorities.
Technology from China meets European platform
Fully electric vehicles from Baidu's Apollo Go program, sixth generation, will be used. These were specifically developed for ridesharing operations and are based on the Apollo Autonomous Driving Foundation Model (ADFM). According to the manufacturer, the RT6 models feature tenfold safety redundancy and an intelligent interaction system.
Role Distribution in the Collaboration
As part of the cooperation, Lyft will take charge of operating the vehicle fleets and integrating them into its own mobility platform. Baidu will provide the vehicles, handle technical validation, and offer comprehensive support. The partnership is part of Lyft's strategy to position itself as an operator and platform provider for autonomous mobility solutions.
“Our partnership with Lyft to introduce Apollo Go in Europe, starting with Germany and the United Kingdom, is an important milestone in our global journey,” said Robin Li, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Baidu.
“This collaboration represents our commitment to make autonomous mobility accessible worldwide while working with local partners who understand their communities. By integrating Baidu's state-of-the-art autonomous driving technology with Lyft's platform reach and operational expertise, we look forward to offering more users safer, greener, and more efficient mobility solutions.”
Market Access through Existing Infrastructure
To accelerate the introduction, Lyft utilizes the existing infrastructure of its subsidiary Freenow. This subsidiary is active in nine European countries and over 180 cities, with a particular focus on Germany and the United Kingdom. Freenow has established relationships with local regulatory authorities and taxi companies, which are intended to serve as gateways for AV integration.
Baidu brings experience from the Chinese market
Baidu contributes extensive operational experience from the Chinese market. The Apollo-Go system is currently active in 15 cities, including Wuhan, where over 3,000 square kilometers are covered. Worldwide, more than 11 million autonomous rides have been conducted with over 1,000 deployed vehicles.
Outlook: Scaling and regulatory alignment
After the planned introduction in Germany and the United Kingdom, the autonomous vehicle fleet is to be expanded to other European markets in the following years. The partners announced that they will work closely with European regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with all safety requirements. The goal is to establish a large-scale autonomous mobility network in Europe.
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