Lyft will begin deploying Baidu’s RT6 autonomous vehicles in Germany and the United Kingdom starting in 2026, the company stated in a press release.
The US mobility company Lyft and the Chinese tech firm Baidu have announced a strategic collaboration to bring autonomous ride-hailing services to Europe for the first time. The companies plan to launch Baidu’s sixth-generation Apollo Go vehicles in major urban markets, beginning in Germany and the UK, subject to regulatory clearance.
The RT6 robotaxis, fully electric and purpose-built for rideshare use, feature Baidu’s Autonomous Driving Foundation Model, a 10-layer safety system, and sensor technology developed through six generations of testing. The vehicles are already in use across 15 Chinese cities, where Baidu’s autonomous fleet has completed over 11 million rides.
Lyft, which recently acquired the European mobility platform FreeNow, will lead operational management and serve as the customer interface for the project. FreeNow’s existing presence in more than 180 cities and relationships with regulators will help accelerate the roll-out of AV services in Europe.
This marks Baidu’s first deployment of autonomous vehicles outside Asia and represents a broader push to expand its technology into global markets. While companies like Waymo and Cruise have focused on North America, Baidu’s entry into Europe highlights growing competition in the international AV space.
Both firms emphasised their commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. The partnership will work closely with authorities in each country to ensure that all standards are met before launching.
Analysts note that Europe’s demand for sustainable mobility and well-developed transport infrastructure make it a natural fit for commercial AV operations. However, public acceptance and local legislation will remain key factors in the speed of adoption.
As part of a longer-term strategy, Baidu and Lyft aim to scale the fleet to thousands of AVs in the coming years and explore additional European markets based on demand and infrastructure readiness.
