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Baidu: Robotaxi trials begin in London
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Fusion42 · 29 July 2026 · Fusion42 review
Chinese tech giant Baidu has commenced Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi trials in London, with safety drivers, through its partnership with Lyft and Freenow. The move positions London as a key European battleground for autonomous vehicles, with Baidu joining competitors like Waymo and Uber/Wayve, and aiming for a commercial launch in 2027.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Micromobility. Wire is Fusion42's founder-focused intelligence feed: each story is connected to the funds and startups it names — every one with a live profile on Raise or Scout — so founders can follow the capital and the momentum behind the headline rather than just the headline itself. Wire analysis is one of the live surfaces Arthur reasons over.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
AV leaders are not building their own ride-hailing apps; they are partnering with existing platforms like Freenow for market access. If you are building a mobility service, your value is in owning the customer relationship, not the car.
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