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Baidu’s Robotaxi unit, Apollo Go, is forging a strategic alliance with ride-hailing giant Lyft to bring driverless transportation to European shores, CNBC has learned. The ambitious plan aims to deploy Apollo Go’s sixth-generation autonomous vehicles across Europe, kicking off in Germany and the UK by 2026. The initial rollout will comprise a fleet numbering in the thousands, signaling a significant commitment to scaling autonomous capabilities across the continent.
“This partnership with Lyft to deploy autonomous ride-hailing services in Europe, starting with Germany and the UK, marks a pivotal milestone in Apollo Go’s globalization strategy,” declared Robin Li, Baidu’s co-founder. “Together with global partners, we aim to extend the benefits of driverless mobility to users worldwide. Baidu will continue to enhance the integration of its cutting-edge autonomous driving technology with Lyft’s operational expertise to deliver safer, greener, and more efficient transportation options to European riders.”
Lyft CEO David Risher emphasized the customer-centric nature of the collaboration. “Our partnership with Baidu is fundamentally about creating an exceptional customer experience. Baidu’s extensive experience running the world’s largest autonomous ride-hailing platform means we can bring the advantages of driverless mobility – safety, reliability, and privacy – to millions of riders across Europe. This is a core component of our ‘hybrid mobility network’ strategy: autonomous vehicles and human drivers working in concert to provide riders with choices that perfectly fit their needs. We are committed to working closely with local regulators to ensure these vehicles are deployed thoughtfully and prudently within communities, benefiting everyone.”
Lyft’s established prowess in fleet management, user operations, and navigating local markets will be instrumental in facilitating Apollo Go’s European expansion. Industry analysts point to Europe’s advanced road infrastructure and high levels of digital adoption as fertile ground for large-scale autonomous vehicle deployment. Apollo Go’s collaboration with Lyft is poised to leverage combined strengths, establishing a robust foundation for the proliferation of driverless cars and potentially reshaping the continent’s transportation network.
This European venture follows Apollo Go’s recent strategic alliance with Uber, announced on July 15th, aimed at deploying thousands of autonomous vehicles across multiple global markets. Securing partnerships with both Uber and Lyft, the world’s two leading ride-hailing platforms, underscores Apollo Go’s accelerating global ambitions and reinforces its position as a frontrunner in the autonomous driving landscape. Currently, Apollo Go operates over 1,000 autonomous vehicles across 15 cities, including Hong Kong, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, boasting over 11 million rides provided and a cumulative safe driving distance exceeding 170 million kilometers.
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