Baidu and Uber partnered to launch driverless robotaxi trials in the United Kingdom. The pilot program will utilize Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6 autonomous vehicles.
The pilot is scheduled to begin in London during the first half of 2026. Baidu aims to make the driverless taxi service available to the public in London by the end of 2026.
This collaboration advances Baidu’s global expansion for its autonomous driving technology. The move places Baidu in direct competition with rivals such as Waymo, which recently initiated its own tests in the city.
Following the announcement, Baidu’s shares rose 1.6% in Hong Kong trading. This indicates a favorable initial market perception of the strategic partnership.