Uber and Lyft partner with Baidu to bring Apollo Go robotaxis to London in 2026. Explore the safety concerns, regulatory hurdles, and public skepticism surrounding driverless taxis in the UK.
In a bold move that could reshape urban transport, Uber and
Lyft have announced plans to trial Chinese-made robotaxis in London as early as
2026, in partnership with Baidu, China’s tech giant and operator of the Apollo
Go autonomous vehicle service.
The proposal, pending regulatory approval, marks a major
step toward integrating fully driverless taxis into the UK’s streets. But while
government officials hail it as progress, public trust and safety concerns
remain high.
The Baidu Connection: Apollo Go’s Global Ambitions
Baidu’s Apollo Go is already one of the world’s most active
robotaxi services, completing millions of fully autonomous rides across dozens
of Chinese cities, with no human driver behind the wheel.
Now, through separate agreements:
- Uber
will integrate Apollo Go vehicles into its UK ride-hailing platform
- Lyft
will deploy them in both the UK and Germany, calling London “the first
European city” to experience the service
Lyft CEO David Risher confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that an initial fleet of dozens would begin testing in 2026, with plans to scale to hundreds of vehicles, if approved.
Government Backing—With Caution
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the move as
“another vote of confidence” in Britain’s self-driving strategy. The government
plans to launch its first passenger-carrying driverless pilot scheme in spring
2026, focusing on commercial services like robotaxis and autonomous shuttles.
“We’re harnessing this technology safely and responsibly to
transform travel,” she said.
But approval isn’t guaranteed. Regulators must assess safety
protocols, cybersecurity, and emergency response capabilities before
greenlighting public deployment.
Public Skepticism Runs Deep
Despite the tech hype, UK consumers remain deeply wary:
- 59%
say they’d never ride in a driverless taxi (YouGov, October 2025)
- 85%
would still choose a human driver if price and convenience were equal
Recent incidents haven’t helped:
- Waymo
suspended its San Francisco service after vehicles froze during a power
outage, stranding passengers
- Autonomous
cars have been blamed for traffic jams, erratic stops, and safety scares
Experts Warn: Scaling Isn’t Simple
Professor Jack Stilgoe of University College London cautions
that driverless cars don’t scale like software:
“There’s a big difference between a few test vehicles using
public streets as a lab, and a real, reliable transport system.”
He also raises a critical point about urban congestion:
“The only thing worse than a single-occupancy car is a zero-occupancy
one”, highlighting fears that empty robotaxis could worsen traffic.
What’s Next?
For Uber and Lyft, the 2026 trial represents both opportunity
and risk. Success could position London as a leader in AI-powered mobility.
Failure could fuel backlash against autonomous tech for years.
Key challenges ahead:
- Regulatory
approval from the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
- Public
trust-building through transparency and safety records
- Integration
with existing transport without increasing congestion
As Stilgoe puts it: “The UK has a chance to set global
standards, not just adopt them.”
The Bottom Line
Autonomous vehicles are coming, but not everyone wants them
in their back seat. As Uber, Lyft, and Baidu push forward, the real test won’t
be technology. It’ll be trust, safety, and whether driverless taxis actually
make city life better, not just more automated.
FAQs
Q: When will robotaxis launch in London?
A: Uber and Lyft aim to begin trials in 2026, pending UK regulatory
approval.
Q: Who is making the robotaxis?
A: Baidu, through its Apollo Go autonomous driving platform.
Q: Are driverless taxis safe?
A: While companies report millions of safe miles, real-world incidents and
public skepticism remain significant hurdles.
Q: Can I opt out of a robotaxi ride on Uber or Lyft?
A: Yes, both platforms are expected to offer human-driven and autonomous
options, allowing user choice.
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