Lyft’s European expansion will include Chinese-made robotaxis. The U.S. ride-hailing company announced a strategic partnership with Baidu to deploy the Chinese tech giant’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicles across several European markets. The companies aim to launch robotaxi services in Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026, pending regulatory approval. If approved, Baidu’s RT6 vehicles, equipped with its Apollo Go self-driving system, will be integrated into Lyft’s ride-hailing app. Lyft CEO David Risher described the robotaxi service as part of its “hybrid network approach,” where autonomous vehicles and human drivers work together to offer flexible options for riders.
Historically, Lyft has focused its ride-hailing business on the United States, while rival Uber has expanded globally into areas like food delivery. Earlier this year, Lyft entered the European market by acquiring the German multi-mobility app FREENOW from BMW and Mercedes-Benz Mobility for approximately $197 million in cash. This acquisition marked Lyft’s first major move into Europe, having previously operated only in the U.S. and Canada since its 2012 launch.
Both Lyft and Uber have discontinued their internal autonomous vehicle programs and are now racing to secure partnerships with companies like Baidu, which have advanced self-driving technology. Uber has partnered with over 18 companies, spanning ride-hailing, delivery, and trucking applications. This year alone, Uber announced deals with May Mobility, Volkswagen, and Chinese self-driving firms Momenta, WeRide, and Baidu. Last month, Uber invested heavily in EV maker Lucid and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro to develop its own premium robotaxi service.
While Lyft hasn’t matched Uber’s pace in forming partnerships, it has secured several deals in the past year. These include plans to add autonomous shuttles from Austrian manufacturer Benteler Group to its network by late 2026. Lyft also intends to integrate autonomous vehicles from May Mobility into its Atlanta operations later this year.
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