Baidu and Lyft's Freenow Launch Road Tests of Apollo Go in London

Baidu, Inc., a major player in the autonomous driving sector, has unveiled its latest endeavor, the Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing platform, which has officially kicked off road testing in London in partnership with Freenow by Lyft. This significant milestone was announced on July 28, 2026, as the companies aim to bring their innovative transportation solution to the bustling streets of one of the world's most renowned cities.

The testing phase will commence in the borough of Brent, located in west and north-west London, where safety operators will initially oversee the vehicles to ensure a controlled environment. The intent is to advance towards public ridership by 2027, pending regulatory approvals. This project represents a newfound commitment by both companies to integrate cutting-edge technology with the diverse urban landscape of London.

The partnership between Baidu and Lyft builds on a strategic alliance formed in 2025, aimed at deploying Apollo Go’s autonomous vehicles throughout key markets in Europe using Lyft's platform. Under the terms of their collaboration, Baidu supplies the innovative RT6 vehicles and the necessary autonomous driving technology, while Freenow by Lyft brings in local operational expertise to facilitate the smooth functioning of the testing process.

Baidu's Experience with Diverse Environments

The initiative in London is a continuation of Apollo Go's previous testing achievements, including successful trials in Hong Kong, which issued the first fully driverless trial permit for the RT6 vehicles. This previous testing involved navigating Airport Island, marking it as the first Level 4 autonomous driving trial globally without a safety operator in any right-hand-drive market. Such milestones showcase the versatility of Baidu's technology beyond various driving conditions and environments.

According to Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of the Overseas Business Unit, the launch of Apollo Go in London is a critical step in their global expansion strategy. She emphasized that testing in such a historically significant and complex urban area highlights the maturity of their autonomous driving technology. Yang stated, "By combining our cutting-edge autonomous driving technology with Freenow by Lyft's local operational expertise, we are officially moving from vision to reality, together."

Emphasis on Sustainable Urban Mobility

On the other hand, Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, highlighted the importance of ensuring that advanced technologies like autonomous vehicles complement the needs of professional taxi drivers, who play a vital role in London’s transportation network. He expressed confidence that the integration of Apollo Go's autonomous vehicles into the Freenow ecosystem will afford Londoners more sustainable mobility options, ultimately encouraging a shift from privately owned vehicles to shared mobility services.

Operationally, the RT6 vehicles will function within a hybrid network that complements Freenow’s established taxi and private hire vehicle services. This strategic approach is designed to enhance overall service efficiency, enabling quicker pick-up times as the fleet of autonomous vehicles increases.

Positive Reception Among Londoners

Research conducted by Censuswide revealed an encouraging level of enthusiasm among Londoners toward autonomous vehicles, with 58% indicating they are likely to try one. Nearly two-thirds of respondents under the age of 35 expressed a favorable disposition toward embracing such technology. This positive response underscores the potential for Apollo Go to become a significant element of London’s transportation landscape.

With more than 22 million cumulative rides completed since its inception, as of April 2026, Apollo Go's rapid growth trajectory includes 3.2 million fully driverless rides reported in the first quarter of 2026 alone. The service has expanded its operational footprint to 27 cities globally, covering over 330 million kilometers, with a remarkable safety record throughout its operations.

Conclusion

In summary, the arrival of Baidu's Apollo Go in London heralds a new chapter in the evolution of autonomous mobility. As the partnership with Freenow by Lyft unfolds, it promises to not only redefine personal transportation in the UK but also sets the stage for innovative practices in urban mobility across Europe. With the sights set on 2027 for public ridership, the implications could be both profound and transformative for urban commuters and the broader automotive landscape.