Overview
- Baidu’s Apollo Go and Freenow by Lyft began supervised road testing of sixth‑generation RT6 robotaxis in Brent on Tuesday, and the companies say they aim to offer paid rides in 2027 pending regulator sign‑off.
- Freenow and Lyft have held talks with Transport for London and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles to secure the regulatory groundwork that will determine when driverless passenger service can start.
- The RT6 cars will join Freenow’s platform as part of a hybrid network that is designed to supplement existing taxis and private‑hire drivers rather than replace them.
- Baidu points to a recent Hong Kong Level 4 permit and on‑road driverless trials as a technical milestone but those approvals do not override the separate UK regulatory process.
- The London tests add to a crowded robotaxi race that includes Waymo and Uber/Wayve, and they come as local groups in Brent press safety concerns after earlier trial incidents, which could influence how quickly officials approve public service.