Baidu's autonomous driving unit Apollo Go began road-testing its sixth-generation RT6 robotaxis in London on July 28, 2026, deploying vehicles with human safety operators in the borough of Brent2,4,6. The tests are conducted through Freenow, the European mobility platform Lyft acquired in 2025 for approximately $197 million12.
The deployment marks the first time a Chinese autonomous vehicle has conducted real-world road testing in London, according to Baidu9,11. Apollo Go and Freenow by Lyft plan to begin offering public rides in 2027, subject to regulatory approval3.
The London launch builds on a strategic partnership Baidu and Lyft announced in 2025 to deploy Apollo Go's purpose-built RT6 robotaxis across key European markets through the Lyft platform. Baidu provides the RT6 vehicles and autonomous driving technology, while Freenow contributes local market expertise and operations. Freenow by Lyft CEO Thomas Zimmermann said the company's priority is "ensuring autonomous technology" supports professional drivers5.
The testing follows a milestone in Hong Kong, where Apollo Go received the first fully driverless trial permit from Hong Kong's Transport Department on July 23 — the first such permit in any right-hand-drive market globally. That Hong Kong trial began on Airport Island on July 27, operating without an on-board safety operator.
Uber also confirmed that Apollo Go vehicles are now operating on public roads in London. Baidu signed two separate deals in 2025: the Lyft partnership targets thousands of Apollo Go vehicles across key European markets, while the Uber partnership targets thousands of vehicles on Uber's platform across global markets outside the US and mainland China14.
London is emerging as a contested proving ground for robotaxi technology. Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles with human safety operators in London in April, and is currently testing a fleet of around 100 vehicles on the capital's roads. Uber and its self-driving technology partner Wayve announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this year, initially with human safety operators. Apollo Go is the third robotaxi entrant in the city, joining Waymo and the Uber-Wayve partnership.
The competitive landscape in London features distinct business models. Uber pairs its dominant UK ride-hailing app with Wayve's technology, while Freenow integrates Baidu's purpose-built RT6 hardware. Waymo, by contrast, runs a standalone Waymo One app with fleet partner Moove.
The trials have not been without friction. In May, calls were made to suspend a Waymo driverless taxi trial — also in Brent — over concerns about "lack of stakeholder support and unresolved safety fears". Brent Green Party claimed the autonomous vehicles "do not meet the minimum safety standards" after one vehicle drove into a police cordon in Harlesden.
Apollo Go's operational scale is substantial. As of April 2026, the platform had provided more than 22 million cumulative rides to the public. In the first quarter of 2026, Apollo Go completed 3.2 million fully driverless rides, growing at over 120% year-on-year. As of May, Apollo Go's fleets had accumulated over 330 million autonomous kilometers, including more than 220 million fully driverless kilometers. The company's footprint spanned 27 cities globally as of May.
Each RT6 vehicle costs roughly $35,000–$37,000 to build. Waymo's sensor-laden Jaguar I-Pace retrofits are estimated to cost $100,000-plus each. ANALYSIS That cost gap could shape the economics of fleet scaling in London as the three competing programs move toward commercial operations.
The companies said they continue to work closely with Transport for London and the UK's Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. When the service launches, Freenow by Lyft plans to operate a hybrid network with human drivers working alongside robotaxis.