Wire · opportunities
Baidu begins London robotaxi tests with Lyft and Freenow
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Fusion42 · 28 July 2026 · Fusion42 review
Baidu has begun testing its Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis in London's Brent borough with human safety operators, targeting a public launch in 2027 through a partnership with Lyft and Freenow. The deployment positions London as a competitive testbed for multiple autonomy stacks—Waymo, Baidu, and Uber-Wayve—where Transport for London regulators will effectively select winners through pilot approvals.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Autonomous Vehicles, and 12 sources have reported it between 28 Jul 2026 and 30 Jul 2026.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
Baidu just got a Western city deployment that Uber doesn't have, and TfL's choice of which pilot to greenlight first will decide which autonomy stack owns the market. If you're building supply-side AV tech—sensors, maps, safety systems—you now know which three companies will be buying at scale in London, and which regulator holds the contract trigger.
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12 sources · first reported 28 Jul 2026 · latest 30 Jul 2026
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