Uber、Lyft 与百度合作，明年在英国试运行机器人出租车

Group 1 - Uber and Lyft are partnering with Chinese tech giant Baidu to launch autonomous taxi trials in the UK next year, reinforcing the UK's position as a leading testing ground for robotaxi commercialization in Europe [1][4] - Baidu's Apollo Go RT6 vehicles are set to join London's taxi platform network by 2026, marking the first direct competition between Chinese and American autonomous driving giants in the European capital [1][4] - The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 provides a legal framework for liability, shifting legal responsibility from individuals in the vehicle to "authorized automated driving entities," a framework currently lacking in the more fragmented EU [1][4] Group 2 - The autonomous taxi sector promises safer, more environmentally friendly, and cost-effective ride services, but profitability remains uncertain, with companies like Pony.ai and WeRide still operating at a loss [2][5] - Analysts warn that the high costs associated with autonomous fleets may pressure the profit margins of platforms like Uber and Lyft [2][5] - A hybrid network combining robotaxis with human drivers may be the most viable model for managing peak demand and pricing [2][5] Group 3 - For Lyft, the UK trial is a cornerstone of its international expansion following the $200 million acquisition of European ride-hailing app FreeNow earlier this year [3][5]