In a groundbreaking initiative, Baidu has unveiled plans for testing its Apollo Go driverless ride-hailing service in London, in collaboration with Freenow by Lyft. This pilot program, which will begin in the borough of Brent, aims to assess autonomous driving capabilities in diverse urban and suburban settings. Baidu's fleet of RT6 robotaxis will be accompanied by safety operators during this testing phase, with a full public launch anticipated next year.
Apollo Go will leverage its advanced autonomous vehicle technology while Freenow by Lyft will provide essential local insights to facilitate efficient operations and seamless integration with existing transport services. The introduction of these robotaxis is expected to enhance Freenow's current fleet, promoting quicker pickup times and an overall improved service experience for users.
This venture into London follows Apollo Go's recent success in Hong Kong, where it received the first fully driverless permit for a right-hand-drive vehicle. Testing commenced on Airport Island, signaling significant progress in the deployment of driverless technology in new markets. With over 22 million rides provided as of April and a remarkable 120% growth in fully driverless rides, Baidu's expansion into 27 cities reflects its increasing global footprint.
Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu, expressed optimism about this milestone, stating:
"The arrival of Apollo Go vehicles in London marks a defining milestone in our global expansion. Testing our autonomous fleet in one of the world's most iconic and complex urban environments validates our technology's maturity and our commitment to this market. By combining our cutting-edge autonomous driving technology with Freenow by Lyft's local operational expertise, we are officially moving from vision to reality, together."
Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, emphasized the importance of integrating autonomous technology within the existing transport ecosystem:
"As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving. By integrating these purpose-built, autonomous vehicles from Baidu's Apollo Go into the Freenow by Lyft ecosystem, we will give Londoners more sustainable choices to travel, encouraging them to choose shared mobility services over personally-owned vehicles."
