Uber and Lyft have announced plans to begin testing Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous taxis in London next year, expanding the city’s growing role as a hub for self-driving vehicle trials.

The move will see both ride-hailing giants join companies such as Waymo and UK-based autonomous driving startup Wayve, which are also preparing to deploy driverless vehicles in the British capital.

Lyft Chief Executive Officer David Risher disclosed that the company intends to commence testing once it secures the necessary regulatory approvals from UK authorities. According to him, Lyft plans to gradually expand the programme, with the ambition of deploying “hundreds” of Baidu’s electric RT6 sport utility vehicles, although no specific date has been given for a full commercial launch.

Uber, on its part, confirmed that it will also begin trials of Baidu’s robotaxis in London as part of a partnership announced in July. The company said testing is expected to start in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory clearance.

The planned London trials reflect a broader global trend in which major ride-hailing platforms are partnering with autonomous vehicle developers to accelerate the rollout of robotaxi services. In recent months, both Uber and Lyft have entered multiple agreements with firms such as Baidu and Waymo to explore autonomous ride services across major cities worldwide.

As London prepares for these trials, industry observers say the developments could play a key role in shaping the future of urban mobility, provided safety standards and regulatory requirements are met.

Source: Techcrunch