Baidu and Lyft mentioned the partnership will end in a significant leap ahead in autonomous mobility with European riders. | Supply: Lyft
Baidu Inc. this week partnered with Lyft Inc. to deploy its Apollo Go autonomous automobiles throughout European markets via the Lyft platform. Preliminary deployments are deliberate for Germany and the U.Ok. in 2026, pending regulatory approval. The businesses plan to scale the fleet to 1000’s of automobiles throughout Europe within the following years.
“Our partnership with Lyft to deploy Apollo Go in Europe, beginning with Germany and the UK, is a major milestone in our world journey,” acknowledged Robin Li, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Baidu.
“This collaboration represents our dedication to creating autonomous mobility accessible worldwide whereas working with native companions who perceive their communities,” he added. “By integrating Baidu’s cutting-edge autonomous driving expertise with Lyft’s platform attain and operational experience, we’re excited to ship safer, greener, and extra environment friendly mobility options to extra customers.”
Based in 2000 as a search engine enterprise, Baidu mentioned it affords a full synthetic intelligence stack of 4 layers, together with cloud infrastructure, the PaddlePaddle deep studying framework developed in home, its self-developed ERNIE basis fashions, and AI functions. The Beijing-based firm‘s mobility initiatives embody the Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing providers and Baidu Apollo’s self-driving techniques, the Xiaodu sensible units powered by the DuerOS sensible assistant, and AI chips.
Lyft and Baidu proceed robotaxi deployments
Based in 2012, Lyft affords rideshare, taxis, non-public rent automobiles, automobile sharing, bikes, and scooters throughout North America and Europe. The San Francisco-based firm operates throughout 11 international locations and in practically 1,000 cities, and it helps bike sharing in 16 international locations.
Lyft plans to deploy robotaxis in Germany and the U.Ok. subsequent 12 months. It’ll function RT6 automobiles geared up with Baidu Apollo Go’s sensor suite, 10-layer security redundancy structure, and clever interplay design. Each corporations mentioned they are going to work intently with European regulators and stakeholders to make sure automobiles meet all crucial security requirements and regulatory necessities.
With a worldwide footprint spanning 15 cities and cumulative rides surpassing 11 million, Apollo Go has deployed greater than 1,000 autonomous automobiles (AVs) for ride-hailing providers for the general public. Based in 2000, Baidu partnered with Uber earlier this 12 months to deploy its Apollo Go AVs on the Uber platform throughout a number of world markets exterior of the U.S. and mainland China.
Lyft additionally isn’t a stranger to the robotaxi area. In November 2024, it partnered with Mobileye to carry AVs to the Lyft community. By means of this partnership, Lyft mentioned it might scale rideshare platform out there to all automobiles with Mobileye’s self-driving expertise.
Companions to concentrate on 4 areas
The businesses mentioned the partnership focuses on 4 key areas to remodel European mobility. The primary is superior AV expertise deployment. Baidu mentioned the Apollo Go’s purpose-built, fully-electric RT6 automobiles are designed from the bottom up for rideshare operations. It leverages the Apollo ADFM (Autonomous Driving Basis Mannequin) and 6 generations of real-world testing.
When launched, RT6 rides shall be out there for riders immediately via the Lyft ecosystem, providing enhanced security options and constant service high quality, Baidu claimed.
Subsequent, the businesses mentioned they plan to deploy AVs at scale in Europe. With operations overlaying greater than 3,000 sq. km (1,158.3 sq. mi.) in Wuhan, China, alone, Apollo Go has demonstrated the flexibility to scale from take a look at operations to full business deployment throughout main metropolitan areas. Baidu mentioned this creates a robust basis for European deployment.
The businesses additionally plan to additional develop their strategic partnership. Lyft mentioned it is going to personal the operational worth chain and market whereas Baidu supplies automobiles, expertise validation, and complete technical assist. Lyft mentioned this strategy builds on its technique to be the platform and fleet supervisor of alternative as fleet house owners and expertise suppliers scale autonomous operations.
Lastly, the businesses mentioned they hope to attain European market integration. Lyft will function Baidu’s first European rideshare companion, utilizing its acquisition of FREENOW — which operates in 9 European international locations and over 180 cities — to speed up AV deployment. FREENOW’s established presence in Germany and the U.Ok., mixed with its deep relationships with native regulators and taxi operators, serves as a key enabler for deployment in these precedence markets, Baidu mentioned.
