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UK regulators to assess Chinese autonomous taxis in 2026
London could see driverless vehicles from Baidu's Apollo Go service as early as next year, following partnerships announced by ride-hailing platforms Uber and Lyft. The trials hinge on regulatory approval, with UK officials framing the move as a step toward modernizing transport.
Partnerships with Baidu accelerate UK rollout
Uber and Lyft revealed separate agreements with Chinese tech giant Baidu to test its Apollo Go robotaxis in London. Uber stated the initiative would "accelerate Britain's leadership in future mobility," offering Londoners an additional transport option by 2026. Lyft's CEO, David Risher, confirmed passengers in the UK capital would be the first in Europe to experience Baidu's autonomous vehicles, with plans to expand from dozens to hundreds of cars if approved.
Safety and public trust remain key hurdles
Despite optimism from officials, skepticism persists. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander called the partnerships a "vote of confidence" in the UK's self-driving plans, noting a pilot scheme would launch in spring to test passenger-carrying autonomous vehicles. However, a YouGov poll in October revealed 60% of UK respondents would refuse to ride in a driverless taxi, while 85% preferred human drivers even at equal cost and convenience.
Incidents involving autonomous vehicles-such as Waymo's recent service suspension in San Francisco after a power outage left cars stranded-have fueled concerns. Professor Jack Stilgoe of University College London warned that scaling driverless technology "can't happen like other digital innovations," emphasizing the gap between small-scale tests and a fully operational system.
Congestion and privacy concerns add to debate
Critics argue that robotaxis could worsen urban congestion, particularly if vehicles circulate empty. Stilgoe noted that "zero-occupancy cars" might undermine efforts to reduce traffic, such as London's congestion charge. Privacy issues, including data collection by autonomous systems, have also been raised.
Global context: Baidu's existing operations
Baidu's Apollo Go service already operates in multiple Chinese cities, completing millions of rides without human drivers. Uber and Lyft have also tested autonomous vehicles in the US-Uber via Waymo in select markets and Lyft in Atlanta-but the UK trials would mark their first European deployment of Baidu's technology.
Regulatory path ahead
The UK government aims to finalize a framework for commercial autonomous services by 2026, aligning with Uber and Lyft's timelines. However, approval will depend on safety demonstrations and public feedback. Stilgoe urged the UK to "set standards" for the technology, balancing innovation with urban planning priorities.
