Lyft And China’s Baidu Look To Bring Robotaxis To Europe Next Year

Lyft’s European description will see Chinese-made robotaxis.

Lyft has historically centered its ride-hailing business connected nan United States, while rival Uber has expanded globally and into different areas, for illustration nutrient delivery. But earlier this year, Lyft bought its measurement into nan European marketplace erstwhile it agreed to get nan German multi-mobility app FREENOW from BMW and Mercedes-Benz Mobility for about $197 cardinal successful cash. 

The acquisition opened up nan European marketplace to Lyft, which has only operated successful nan U.S. and Canada since it launched successful 2012.

Lyft and Uber, some of which sunsetted their ain soul autonomous conveyance programs, are successful a title to fastener up partnerships pinch companies for illustration Baidu, which person developed nan technology.

Uber has collaborated pinch much than 18 companies, covering nan spectrum of really self-driving systems tin beryllium applied to nan beingness world, including ride-hailing, delivery, and trucking. In this twelvemonth alone, it has announced deals with Ann Arbor, Michigan-based May Mobility and Volkswagen, arsenic good arsenic Chinese self-driving firms Momenta, WeRide, and Baidu. Last month, Uber invested hundreds of millions of dollars into EV shaper Lucid and autonomous conveyance exertion startup Nuro successful a bid to motorboat its ain premium robotaxi service.

Lyft hasn’t had nan aforesaid gait of deals arsenic Uber, but has made a fewer partnerships successful nan past year, including a scheme to add autonomous shuttles made by Austrian shaper Benteler Group to its web successful precocious 2026. Lyft has besides said it plans to put AVs from May Mobility on its web successful Atlanta later this year.