Freenow by Lyft and Baidu begin London testing of Apollo Go autonomous vehicles ahead of 2027 public launch
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Freenow by Lyft and Chinese technology company Baidu have officially begun testing Apollo Go autonomous vehicles on London’s roads, marking another step towards the introduction of driverless ride-hailing services in the capital.
The sixth-generation Apollo Go RT6 vehicles are now operating with safety operators onboard within the London Borough of Brent. The trial forms part of the companies’ plans to introduce public passenger services during 2027 and follows Lyft’s announcement in 2025 that it would work with Baidu to deploy autonomous vehicles across Europe.
The testing programme is taking place following discussions with Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). According to the companies, safety remains central to the programme, with testing being carried out in collaboration with regulators as they work towards introducing what they describe as a safe, reliable and sustainable service.
The RT6 is Apollo Go’s sixth-generation autonomous vehicle designed specifically for ride-hailing operations. Freenow by Lyft said the vehicles will operate alongside its existing network of licensed taxis and private hire vehicles rather than replacing them. The company believes the hybrid model will increase vehicle availability and reduce passenger waiting times by expanding the number of vehicles available through its platform.
The announcement comes as autonomous vehicle activity continues to increase across London. Several developers are already conducting trials on public roads under existing UK regulations, with vehicles operating under strict safety requirements that include trained safety drivers or operators during testing. The UK Government has identified London as a key location for developing connected and autonomous vehicle technology ahead of wider commercial deployment under the Automated Vehicles Act.
Research commissioned by Freenow by Lyft and carried out by Censuswide suggests there is growing public interest in the technology despite relatively limited experience. The survey found that 48% of Londoners have never travelled in an autonomous vehicle, yet 58% said they would be likely to try one. Support was strongest among younger people, with nearly two-thirds of those aged under 35 saying they supported autonomous vehicles being available in the capital.
The research also highlighted the reasons respondents would consider using the technology. More than half, 51%, said they were attracted by the technology itself, while 43% cited reliability. A further 41% said they valued the prospect of having quiet “me time” during their journey, and 25% said they were excited about having another transport option available.
The start of Apollo Go testing adds another significant player to London’s growing autonomous vehicle landscape. However, the expansion of driverless technology continues to prompt debate within the taxi and private hire sector, with many industry representatives calling for safeguards to protect professional drivers as autonomous services develop alongside traditional passenger transport.
Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, said: “As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving. By integrating these purpose-built, autonomous vehicles from Baidu’s Apollo Go into the Freenow by Lyft ecosystem, we will give Londoners more sustainable choices to travel, encouraging them to choose shared mobility services over personally-owned vehicles.”
Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of Overseas Business Unit within its Intelligent Driving Group, said: “The arrival of Apollo Go vehicles in London marks a defining milestone in our global expansion. Testing our autonomous fleet in one of the world’s most iconic and complex urban environments validates our technology’s maturity and our commitment to this market. By combining our cutting-edge autonomous driving technology with Freenow by Lyft’s local operational expertise, we are officially moving from vision to reality, together.”
