Chinese internet search firm Baidu is partnering with U.S. ride-hailing firm Lyft to launch robotaxis in Europe, marking the latest initiative by a Chinese company to expand its autonomous-driving technologies globally. Under the partnership, the companies plan to introduce autonomous vehicles in Germany and the UK as early as 2026, pending approval from local regulators. The companies said they expected to roll out thousands of robotaxis across Europe in the coming years. Baidu last month also secured a deal with ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies to deploy thousands of Baidu Apollo Go robotaxis in markets outside the U.S. and mainland China.
The deals are part of a broader trend among Chinese autonomous-driving companies to bring their services to international markets, especially as U.S. electric-vehicle maker Tesla ramps up its robotaxi initiatives. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced plans to launch robotaxi services in Chicago, following trials in Austin, Texas. Chinese autonomous-driving companies including Pony.ai, Momenta and WeRide have formed similar alliances with Uber to deploy robotaxi fleets in global markets, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. In May, Guangzhou-based Pony.ai and Uber said they were teaming up to offer driverless rides in the Middle East, with plans to deploy Pony.ai robotaxis on Uber’s platform in an unspecified key market in the region before expanding globally. Similarly, Uber has partnered with Momenta to introduce self-driving vehicles in markets outside the U.S. and China, including a launch in Europe in 2026. The U.S. company has also partnered with Guangzhou-based WeRide to launch robotaxi fleets in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with plans to expand into 15 more Middle Eastern and European cities.
Baidu Co-founder and CEO Li Yan said the partnership with Lyft represented “a significant milestone” in the Chinese company’s global expansion and highlighted its commitment to making autonomous mobility accessible worldwide. “By integrating Baidu’s cutting-edge autonomous driving technology with Lyft’s platform reach and operational expertise, we’re excited to deliver safer, greener and more efficient mobility solutions to more users,” Li said. The wave of new partnerships underscored the acceleration of commercialization efforts among Chinese robotaxi operators, Goldman Sachs analysts said in a research note last month. Further progress was expected in the coming years, as companies expand fleet sizes, increase ride volumes and explore new business models, the South China Morning Post reports.
