Uber and Lyft Plan UK Trials of Chinese Robotaxis in 2026
Ride-hailing firms Uber and Lyft have announced plans to trial autonomous taxis developed by Chinese technology company Baidu on UK roads from 2026, pending regulatory approval.
Both companies said they are seeking permission to begin testing Baidu’s Apollo Go driverless vehicles in London. The service already operates in dozens of cities, largely in China, where Baidu says it has completed millions of passenger journeys without a human driver at the wheel.
UK transport secretary Heidi Alexander described the announcement as a positive signal for the government’s ambitions around self-driving technology. Writing on social media, she said pilot schemes could see autonomous vehicles carrying passengers as early as next spring, provided they meet safety and regulatory standards.
Uber confirmed earlier this year that it was accelerating its plans to test driverless vehicles in the UK, aligning with government proposals to allow limited trials of autonomous taxi-style services from 2026. The company said its partnership with Baidu would offer Londoners an additional travel option if approved by regulators.
Lyft has also outlined plans to introduce Baidu’s robotaxis in the UK and Germany under a broader European agreement. The company already operates limited autonomous ride services in the US city of Atlanta through a separate partnership. Lyft chief executive David Risher said London would be the first European city to host Baidu’s Apollo Go vehicles if the trial is authorised, with an initial fleet expected to grow from dozens to hundreds of cars.
Despite the announcements, both companies face scrutiny from regulators and safety experts. Professor Jack Stilgoe of University College London warned that autonomous vehicles cannot be rolled out in the same way as other digital technologies, noting the challenges of moving from small-scale testing to fully integrated transport systems.
Public confidence remains a key obstacle. A YouGov poll conducted in October found that nearly 60% of UK respondents would not feel comfortable using a driverless taxi, while the vast majority said they would choose a human-driven cab if costs and convenience were the same.
Concerns have also been raised about congestion, safety and reliability, following reports of autonomous vehicles causing traffic disruptions and service suspensions in other countries. Professor Stilgoe said the UK should focus on setting strong standards for the technology, warning that empty self-driving vehicles could worsen congestion in city centres if not carefully managed.
The proposed trials would mark a significant step in the UK’s approach to autonomous transport, but any rollout will depend on regulatory approval and public acceptance.
