Lyft Partners with Baidu to Deploy Autonomous Rides Across Europe

Rhea-AI Summary

Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) and Lyft have announced a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles across European markets through Lyft's platform. The initial rollout will begin in Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026, pending regulatory approval, with plans to scale to thousands of vehicles across Europe.

The partnership will utilize Apollo Go's RT6 fully-electric vehicles, leveraging Baidu's extensive experience with over 11 million completed autonomous rides across 15 cities globally. Lyft will manage operations and marketplace activities, while Baidu provides vehicles and technical support. The collaboration builds on Lyft's FREENOW acquisition, which operates in 9 European countries and 180+ cities.

Positive

• Apollo Go brings extensive operational experience with over 11 million autonomous rides completed globally
• Partnership leverages FREENOW's established presence in 9 European countries and 180+ cities
• Baidu currently operates over 1,000 autonomous vehicles globally
• Strategic expansion into major European markets positions Baidu for significant international growth

Negative

• Deployment timeline not starting until 2026 indicates lengthy implementation period
• Success dependent on pending regulatory approvals in multiple jurisdictions
• Significant capital investment required to scale thousands of vehicles across Europe

Insights

Autonomous Mobility Strategic Analyst

Baidu's European autonomous expansion via Lyft partnership significantly advances its global AV commercialization strategy, creating new revenue streams outside China.

This strategic partnership represents a pivotal international expansion for Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicle (AV) business beyond its current Chinese operations. The deal positions Baidu to leverage Lyft's European presence—particularly through the FREENOW acquisition—to enter lucrative Western markets without building its own ride-hailing infrastructure from scratch.

The partnership's structure is particularly noteworthy: Baidu provides the technology and vehicles while Lyft manages operations and customer acquisition. This asset-light international expansion model allows Baidu to scale globally without the regulatory and operational complexities of directly entering foreign markets. For context, Apollo Go has already completed over 11 million rides globally with 1,000+ AVs operating across 15 cities, demonstrating proven operational capacity at scale.

The deployment timeline starting in 2026 for Germany and UK indicates this is a forward-looking revenue opportunity rather than an immediate catalyst. However, it establishes a framework for Baidu to monetize its AV technology investments in Western markets where regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles are maturing. The plan to eventually deploy thousands of vehicles suggests substantial revenue potential in the medium term.

For Baidu investors, this partnership diversifies revenue streams beyond the Chinese market and represents validation of Apollo Go's technology on the global stage. The timing aligns with industry projections of 2025-2027 as the inflection point for commercial AV deployments, positioning Baidu to capture market share as the autonomous mobility sector transitions from testing to commercial scale.

Lyft plans to deploy Baidu Apollo Go's RT6 autonomous vehicles initially in Germany and the United Kingdom starting in 2026

BEIJING and SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888), a leading AI company with a strong Internet foundation, and Lyft, Inc. (NASDAQ: LYFT), one of North America's and Europe's largest transportation networks, today announced a strategic partnership for Lyft to deploy Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles (AVs) across key European markets through the Lyft platform. This collaboration marks a transformative milestone in Baidu's international expansion and further positions Lyft as a leading AV platform in Europe.

Initial deployments are planned for Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026 pending regulatory approval, with the fleet scaling to thousands of vehicles across Europe in the following years. As part of the agreement, Lyft will deploy Baidu Apollo Go's sixth-generation vehicles as its pioneering autonomous solution in the region.

"Our partnership with Lyft to deploy Apollo Go in Europe, starting with Germany and the United Kingdom, is a significant milestone in our global journey," said Robin Li, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Baidu. "This collaboration represents our commitment to making autonomous mobility accessible worldwide while working with local partners who understand their communities. By integrating Baidu's cutting-edge autonomous driving technology with Lyft's platform reach and operational expertise, we're excited to deliver safer, greener, and more efficient mobility solutions to more users."

"Our partnership with Baidu is all about creating a great customer experience. Their extensive track record operating the world's largest autonomous ride-hailing service means we can bring all the benefits of AVs — safety, reliability, and privacy — to millions of Europeans," said David Risher, Lyft CEO. "It's part of our hybrid network approach, where AVs and human drivers work together to provide customer-obsessed options for riders. And importantly, we're committed to working hand-in-hand with local regulators to ensure we deploy these vehicles in their communities in a smart, thoughtful way that benefits everyone."

Baidu's Apollo Go brings unparalleled operational expertise and advanced autonomous driving technology to the partnership. With its global footprint spanning 15 cities and cumulative rides surpassing 11 million, Apollo Go currently deploys over 1,000 operational AVs globally that provide autonomous ride-hailing services to the public. This collaboration represents a major leap forward in delivering world-class autonomous mobility to European riders.

Building Europe's Leading Autonomous Network

The partnership focuses on four key areas to transform European mobility:

Advanced AV Technology Deployment: Apollo Go's purpose-built, fully-electric RT6 vehicles are designed from the ground up for rideshare operations, leveraging the Apollo ADFM (Autonomous Driving Foundation Model) and six generations of real-world testing. When launched, RT6 rides will be available for riders directly through the Lyft ecosystem, offering enhanced safety features and consistent service quality.

Proven Scale and Operational Excellence: With operations covering over 3,000 square kilometers in Wuhan alone and over 11 million completed rides globally, Apollo Go has demonstrated the ability to scale from test operations to full commercial deployment across major metropolitan areas, creating a strong foundation for European deployment.

Strategic Partnership: Lyft will own the operational value chain and marketplace while Baidu provides vehicles, technology validation, and comprehensive technical support. This approach builds on Lyft's strategy to be the platform and fleet manager of choice as fleet owners and technology providers scale autonomous operations.

European Market Integration: Lyft will serve as Baidu's first European rideshare partner, leveraging the acquisition of FREENOW (operating in nine European countries and over 180 cities) to accelerate AV deployment. FREENOW's established presence in Germany and the UK, combined with their deep relationships with local regulators and taxi operators, serves as a key enabler for deployment in these priority markets.

Implementation and Next Steps

Lyft will begin deployments pending regulatory approval in Germany and the UK in 2026, operating RT6 vehicles equipped with Baidu Apollo Go's industry-leading sensor suite, 10-layer safety redundancy architecture, and intelligent interaction design. Both companies will work closely with European regulators and stakeholders to ensure vehicles meet all necessary safety standards and regulatory requirements.

With Europe's strong transport infrastructure and surging demand for green mobility, this partnership aims to establish Europe as a global showcase for autonomous ride-hailing services and set a new standard for safety-focused, efficient, and sustainable urban mobility.

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu's mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under "BIDU" and HKEX under "9888." One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

About Lyft

Whether it's an everyday commute or a journey that changes everything, Lyft is driven by our purpose: to serve and connect. Founded in 2012, Lyft has grown into a global mobility platform offering rideshare, taxis, private hire vehicles, car sharing, bikes, and scooters across North America and Europe. Lyft operates across 11 countries and in nearly 1,000 cities, and supports bikesharing in 16 countries. Today, millions of drivers have chosen to earn on billions of rides - helping to create a more connected world, with transportation for everyone.

Media Contacts

Baidu
International Communications
Intlcomm@baidu.com 

Lyft
Lyft Press
press@lyft.com

 

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SOURCE Baidu, Inc.

FAQ

When will Baidu's autonomous vehicles launch on Lyft's platform in Europe?

Baidu's autonomous vehicles are scheduled to launch on Lyft's platform in Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026, pending regulatory approval.

How many autonomous rides has Baidu's Apollo Go completed globally?

Baidu's Apollo Go has completed over 11 million autonomous rides across 15 cities globally, with more than 1,000 operational autonomous vehicles.

What type of vehicles will Baidu deploy through Lyft in Europe?

Baidu will deploy its RT6 fully-electric autonomous vehicles, which are purpose-built for rideshare operations and equipped with Apollo ADFM technology.

How many European cities does Lyft operate in through FREENOW?

Through the FREENOW acquisition, Lyft operates in over 180 cities across 9 European countries.

What is Baidu's role in the partnership with Lyft?

Baidu will provide the autonomous vehicles, technology validation, and comprehensive technical support, while Lyft manages operations and the marketplace.