Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Uber, Lyft Partner with Baidu for UK Robotaxi Trials
Uber and Lyft are teaming up with Baidu to start testing driverless taxis in London next year.
This is a big deal because it's the first time US and Chinese companies are directly competing in a European capital.
The UK has special laws that make it easier to test these cars, and other companies like Wayve are also planning to start trials.
These driverless taxis could make rides safer and cheaper, but it's not clear yet if they will be profitable.
The companies might mix driverless cars with human-driven ones to handle busy times.
Uber and Lyft are partnering with Baidu to launch driverless taxi trials in London in 2026.
Baidu's Apollo Go RT6 vehicles will join the London networks of Uber and Lyft.
The UK's Automated Vehicles Act 2024 provides a legal framework for liability in autonomous vehicle incidents.
Wayve, a London-based startup, is also preparing to launch driverless trials in 2026 with a $1 billion investment led by SoftBank Group and Uber.
Analysts suggest that hybrid networks, mixing robotaxis with human drivers, may be the most viable model to manage demand peaks and pricing.
- Who
- Uber, Lyft, Baidu, Wayve, SoftBank Group
- What
- Partnership for driverless taxi trials in the UK
- When
- Trials to start in 2026
- Where
- London, UK
- Why
- To launch driverless taxi trials and reinforce the UK's role as a leading testbed for commercialising robotaxis
- Companies Involved
- Uber, Lyft, Baidu, Wayve, SoftBank Group
- Location
- London, UK
- Trial Start Year
- 2026
- Vehicle Model
- Baidu's Apollo Go RT6
- Legal Framework
- Automated Vehicles Act 2024
- Wayve Investment
- $1 billion
- Investor
- SoftBank Group
