New Uber backed driverless taxis to hit UK streets in 2026

Core Insights - Uber and Lyft are set to launch driverless taxi trials in London in 2026, partnering with Baidu, highlighting the UK's position as a leading testbed for robotaxis in Europe [1][4] - The trials will see competition between US and Chinese autonomous vehicle companies in a European capital for the first time, following Waymo's recent supervised tests in London [2][3] Company Developments - Lyft's trials will utilize Apollo Go RT6 vehicles designed specifically for ridesharing, with plans to start testing a fleet of dozens of vehicles next year, pending regulatory approval, and scale to hundreds thereafter [3][5] - Baidu is competing with companies like Waymo, which has already begun testing its vehicles on London streets [3] - Lyft's UK trial is part of its international expansion strategy, following its $200 million acquisition of the European taxi app FreeNow [5] Regulatory Environment - The success of fully autonomous trials in the UK depends on the government finalizing driverless car regulations and granting operational approvals [4][7] - The UK's Automated Vehicles Act 2024 shifts legal responsibility for incidents from the driver to the "authorised self-driving entity," facilitating the commercialization of driverless taxis [7] Market Context - The driverless car trials in London are part of a broader global trend, with Baidu and WeRide expanding their operations in various regions including the US, Middle East, and Switzerland [4] - The emergence of self-driving taxis in London parallels developments in other cities, such as San Francisco and Tokyo, where autonomous vehicles have become more common [7] Public Perception - Concerns about public trust in driverless taxis persist, with some industry representatives expressing skepticism about their necessity and safety [8] - Waymo has reported providing over 10 million fully autonomous rides in the US, indicating a significant operational scale despite challenges [9]