Baidu to Launch Robotaxis in Europe With Lyft Partnership

Baidu (BIDU, Financials) will roll out its driverless taxis in Europe starting in 2026 through a new partnership with Lyft, marking the Chinese tech giant's latest push into overseas autonomous vehicle markets.

The launch will begin in the U.K. and Germany, with a goal of deploying thousands of robotaxis across Europe in the following years, pending regulatory approval. The move follows Lyft's acquisition of German ride?hailing company FreeNow, which operates in more than 150 cities across nine countries.

Baidu has operated its Apollo Go robotaxi service in China since 2021 and has recently struck deals with Uber to deploy its autonomous cars in parts of Asia, the Middle East and eventually Europe. For Lyft (LYFT, Financials), the tie?up could strengthen its foothold in a region dominated by rivals such as Uber and Bolt.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.