Baidu's Apollo Go Robotaxis Begin London Road Tests
Chinese tech firm Baidu's autonomous vehicles are undergoing road tests in London through a partnership with FREENOW and Uber. Public rides are planned to commence in 2027.
Baidu, a Chinese technology company, has commenced road testing of its autonomous robotaxis in London. The deployment is being conducted in collaboration with FREENOW, a European mobility platform owned by Lyft, and Uber.
These tests mark the first instance of a Chinese autonomous vehicle operating on public roads in London's complex traffic conditions. Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous driving system has previously expanded to markets like Hong Kong, and this move signifies further international expansion for right-hand-drive territories.
The test fleet consists of Apollo RT6 robotaxis, each equipped with an onboard safety operator. Initial trials are focused on the Brent borough, covering a mix of urban and suburban driving scenarios. FREENOW and Apollo Go aim to launch public ride-hailing services by 2027.