Lyft and Chinese tech giant Baidu have begun testing autonomous taxis in London, marking a new phase in the city's evolving ride-hailing market. The pilot program involves Baidu's Apollo Go self-driving vehicles, which are now available through Freenow, a mobility network acquired by Lyft in 2025. This initiative follows a promise made last year to bring robotaxis to the British capital. The testing is expected to gather data on autonomous vehicle performance in complex urban environments, including London's narrow streets and heavy traffic. Lyft and Baidu aim to eventually offer a full commercial robotaxi service, though no timeline has been announced. The move puts them in competition with other firms like Waymo and Cruise, which are also exploring autonomous rides in Europe. London's regulatory environment has been cautious but open to trials, with officials emphasizing safety. The partnership leverages Baidu's expertise in autonomous driving technology and Lyft's extensive ride-hailing network. Passengers in the test area will be able to hail the robotaxis via the Freenow app, with a safety operator present during the initial phase. No pricing details have been released yet. The testing is a significant step for Baidu's international expansion and Lyft's push into autonomous mobility.