Uber and Lyft to Pilot Baidu Robotaxis in UK in 2026
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
Dec 22 (GeokHub) Uber Technologies and Lyft are partnering with Chinese technology group Baidu to trial autonomous robotaxis in the United Kingdom next year, a significant step in the global push to commercialise driverless ride-hailing services.
The tests will mark one of the most ambitious efforts yet to bring robotaxis to Europe, with London emerging as an early proving ground as regulators assess how autonomous vehicles can be integrated into dense urban transport networks.
Under the plan, Lyft will deploy Baidu’s self-driving vehicles on its platform in both the UK and Germany, subject to regulatory approval. Uber is also expected to work with Baidu in the UK as part of its broader strategy to expand autonomous offerings through partnerships rather than in-house development.
Shift Toward Partnerships
Both Uber and Lyft have stepped away from developing their own autonomous vehicle technology in recent years, choosing instead to collaborate with specialist firms to accelerate rollout and reduce costs.
The partnerships highlight how ride-hailing platforms are seeking to remain competitive as autonomous technology matures, while avoiding the heavy capital and technical risks associated with building driverless systems internally.
Robotaxi Momentum Builds Globally
The UK trials come as robotaxi deployments gather pace worldwide. Alphabet’s Waymo said in October it would begin testing autonomous vehicles in London, while Baidu and U.S.-listed rival WeRide have already launched robotaxi services in parts of the Middle East and Switzerland.
Despite growing interest, the commercial outlook remains uncertain. Autonomous vehicle companies such as Pony.ai and WeRide continue to operate at a loss, and analysts caution that the high cost of building and maintaining robotaxi fleets could weigh on margins for ride-hailing platforms.
Many analysts argue that hybrid models — combining robotaxis with human-driven vehicles — may offer a more practical path forward, allowing platforms to manage demand surges, pricing flexibility and service reliability.
Lyft Expands European Footprint
Lyft’s robotaxi plans follow its $200 million acquisition of European taxi app FreeNow from BMW and Mercedes-Benz earlier this year. The deal marked Lyft’s first major expansion outside North America and gave the company access to nine European markets, strengthening its platform ahead of broader autonomous deployments.
As regulatory frameworks evolve, the UK trials are expected to play a key role in shaping how quickly robotaxis can scale across Europe.
