Posted on the 22nd December 2025 in PHTM News

LONDON TO BECOME GLOBAL HUB FOR DRIVERLESS TAXIS AS TECH GIANTS TARGET 2026 LAUNCH

The capital’s streets are set to become the ultimate testing ground for the future of transport as Uber and Lyft join forces with Chinese tech titan Baidu to launch fully autonomous taxi fleets in 2026.

The landmark partnership will introduce Baidu’s purpose-built "Apollo Go" electric vehicles to the UK for the first time. The move sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown with Waymo—Alphabet’s self-driving division—which is also targeting a 2026 public rollout in London.

The initiative aims to prove that autonomous technology can master the "busy, narrow and often complex streets" of a historic European city, a significant step up from the predictable grid systems of the US and China.

Baidu, which describes itself as the "world’s largest autonomous vehicle operator," brings massive scale to the project, having already completed over 17 million cumulative rides globally.

The company noted that its systems have covered more than 240 million kilometres, emphasising that its RT6 models are: "...fully electric cars designed specifically for ride-hailing use. Unlike converted production cars... the RT6 has been developed from the outset to operate without a driver."

Lyft, which entered the UK market in 2025 via the acquisition of Freenow, clarified that robotaxis will not be replacing humans immediately. The company intends to operate a “hybrid network,” where autonomous vehicles work alongside human-driven cars.

According to Lyft, this strategy is: "...designed to ensure London’s full range of travel needs can be met while creating new opportunities within the wider ride-hailing ecosystem."

While the ambition is high, the companies face a rigorous path to approval. Work is currently underway with Transport for London and local regulators to ensure the technology meets the UK's strict safety standards.

Industry analysts suggest the arrival of these platforms marks a shift from experimental pilots to "real-world urban deployment." If the first half of 2026 proves successful, the plan is to expand the fleet to hundreds of vehicles.

While the current priority is securing regulatory green lights and finalising logistics, the path forward is unmistakable. London is rapidly emerging as a premier global hub for self-driving technology as Baidu, Uber, and Lyft join Waymo in focusing their efforts on the capital.

Should these initiatives succeed, the sight of a driverless electric taxi on London’s streets could soon transition from a futuristic curiosity into a routine part of daily life.


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