Baidu has established a strategic partnership with Lyft to introduce its Apollo Go autonomous vehicles (avs) to several European markets via the Lyft platform. The collaboration marks a significant expansion for Baidu’s autonomous driving technology and Lyft’s service offerings.

Initial deployments of the vehicles are planned for Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. The fleet is anticipated to grow to encompass thousands of Baidu Apollo Go‘s sixth-generation vehicles throughout Europe in subsequent years.

Robin Li, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Baidu, stated:

Our partnership with Lyft to deploy Apollo Go in Europe, beginning with Germany and the United Kingdom, is a pivotal moment in our global expansion. This collaboration underscores our dedication to making autonomous mobility accessible worldwide,while collaborating with local partners who possess a deep understanding of their communities. By combining Baidu’s state-of-the-art autonomous driving technology with Lyft’s extensive platform reach and operational expertise, we are poised to deliver safer, more enduring, and more efficient mobility solutions to a wider range of users.

David Risher, lyft CEO, commented:

Our partnership with Baidu centers on delivering an remarkable customer experience. Their proven track record in operating the world’s largest autonomous ride-hailing service enables us to bring the advantages of AVs-safety,reliability,and privacy-to millions of Europeans. This is an integral part of our hybrid network approach, where AVs and human drivers collaborate to provide customer-focused transportation options. Importantly, we are committed to working closely with local regulators to ensure responsible and beneficial deployment of these vehicles within their communities.

The partnership will concentrate on four key areas to facilitate the integration of Baidu Apollo Go vehicles across Europe: the widespread implementation of advanced AV technology, operational logistics, a collaborative value chain, and seamless integration into the European market.