London's Robotaxi Rollout Begins
Baidu and Lyft Commence Robotaxi Testing in London Amid UK Regulatory Development
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Key Points
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Lyft's 2025 acquisition of Freenow for about $197 million gives Lyft a European foothold in ride-hailing, with Baidu's Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis set to be accessible through Freenow (rebranded as Freenow by Lyft for this service).
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Dozens of test vehicles will operate in London’s Brent borough as part of the rollout.
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The UK government began accepting applications in May for an autonomous-vehicle pilot program, with regulatory coordination ongoing between Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV).
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The testing will span both urban and suburban driving environments in Brent to evaluate performance and safety across different road types.
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Customers can sign up to express interest in the initial robotaxi service as part of the rollout, signaling a move toward public adoption pending regulatory approvals.
Baidu has started testing its Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi on London streets, marking the Chinese tech giant's first move into Europe's ride-hailing market. The tests are running in the borough of Brent, with safety operators on board, according to MarketScreener and CNEVPost.
The goal is to open public rides by 2027, pending regulatory approval. Lyft is powering the rollout through Freenow, the European ride-hailing app it acquired for roughly $197 million in 2025, according to TipRanks.
Brent Borough Chosen as First Testing Ground
Dozens of RT6 vehicles are now driving through Brent, a borough in west and northwest London. The tests cover both urban streets and suburban roads to check how the cars handle different driving conditions, according to MarketScreener.
Safety operators sit inside each car during this phase. The vehicles are designed to run fully driverless one day, but that step requires more testing and sign-off from UK regulators. Customers can already sign up to express interest in riding, signaling a slow but deliberate move toward public access, CNEVPost reported.
Lyft's Freenow Deal Opens the Door to Europe
Lyft bought Freenow earlier in 2025 for about $197 million. That deal gave Lyft a ready-made network across major European cities. Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxis will be bookable directly through the Freenow by Lyft app, according to TipRanks.
TechBuzz called the move Lyft's "most aggressive" step yet in the autonomous vehicle race. Freenow already operates in markets across Europe, giving the partnership an instant platform to scale without building an audience from scratch, according to TechBuzz.
UK Regulators Build the Rules as Tests Begin
The UK government started accepting applications for an autonomous-vehicle pilot program in May 2025. Two bodies are leading the effort: Transport for London, which oversees the city's roads, and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, which sets national rules, according to CNEVPost.
The regulatory framework is still being built. Baidu and Lyft are working directly with both agencies to help shape it. That coordination is key — without regulatory clearance, the 2027 public-launch target cannot happen, MarketScreener noted.
London Becomes a Battleground for Robotaxi Rivals
Baidu and Lyft are not alone. Waymo and Uber, partnered with UK-based autonomous driving startup Wayve, have both signaled plans to test or launch in London. The city is fast becoming the most competitive robotaxi market in Europe, according to Seeking Alpha.
Europe's AV market is drawing heavy investment from both US and Chinese firms. London's dense road network, strict safety culture, and large population make it a proving ground. Whoever cracks London first stands to set the template for the rest of the continent.
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