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In an exciting development for the future of transportation, Lyft and Baidu have announced a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles (AVs) in key European markets. The initial deployments are expected to begin in Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
The partnership will see the introduction of Baidu's sixth-generation Apollo Go vehicles as Lyft's first autonomous solution in the region. The autonomous fleet will primarily consist of Baidu's Apollo Go RT6, a purpose-built, fully electric vehicle designed specifically for autonomous ride-hailing. The RT6 is equipped with Baidu's latest Apollo Autonomous Driving Foundation Model (ADFM), a multi-layer safety architecture, and real-time intelligent interaction systems.
Under the agreement, Lyft will manage operations and customer-facing services, while Baidu will supply the vehicles and offer technical validation and support. This partnership reflects the growing interest in autonomous technologies across Europe and marks a significant step in Baidu's international expansion.
The collaboration also builds on Lyft's strategic direction to operate as a platform and fleet manager for autonomous vehicle providers and fleet owners. FREENOW's existing footprint in Germany and the UK, along with its relationships with regulators and taxi operators, is expected to support the integration of autonomous vehicles into local transport systems.
The partnership aims to contribute to the region's shift towards more sustainable and efficient transport systems. Lyft CEO David Risher mentioned that the partnership is about creating a great customer experience, bringing the benefits of AVs to millions of Europeans. Robin Li, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Baidu, stated that the collaboration aims to make autonomous mobility accessible worldwide while working with local partners who understand their communities.
Deployment efforts will draw on Lyft's acquisition of FREENOW, which operates in nine European countries and over 180 cities. The fleet is anticipated to scale to several thousand vehicles across the continent over the following years.
Baidu's Apollo Go platform has accumulated over 11 million rides and operates more than 1,000 AVs across 15 cities, including extensive deployments in China such as Wuhan. This partnership marks a significant step in Lyft's role in the development of autonomous mobility in Europe.
[1] TechCrunch. (2023). Lyft and Baidu Announce Partnership to Deploy Autonomous Vehicles in Europe. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/01/lyft-and-baidu-announce-partnership-to-deploy-autonomous-vehicles-in-europe/
[2] Lyft Press Room. (2023). Lyft and Baidu Announce Strategic Partnership to Deploy Apollo Go Autonomous Vehicles in Europe. [online] Available at: https://press.lyft.com/lyft-and-baidu-announce-strategic-partnership-to-deploy-apollo-go-autonomous-vehicles-in-europe/
[3] Baidu Press Room. (2023). Baidu and Lyft Announce Strategic Partnership to Deploy Apollo Go Autonomous Vehicles in Europe. [online] Available at: https://ir.baidu.com/news-releases/news-release-details/2023/Baidu-and-Lyft-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Deploy-Apollo-Go-Autonomous-Vehicles-in-Europe
[4] Reuters. (2023). Lyft, Baidu to Deploy Autonomous Vehicles in Europe from 2026. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/lyft-baidu-deploy-autonomous-vehicles-europe-2026-2023-03-01/
[5] The Verge. (2023). Lyft and Baidu team up to bring autonomous electric vehicles to Europe. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/1/23618476/lyft-baidu-partnership-autonomous-electric-vehicles-europe-apollo-go-rt6
- The strategic partnership between Lyft and Baidu will see the introduction of Baidu's Apollo Go vehicles, powered by technology, as Lyft's first autonomous solution in key European markets, aimed at contributing to a more sustainable and efficient transport system.
- The collaboration between Lyft and Baidu is a significant step in Baidu's international expansion and reflects the growing interest in autonomous technologies, as Baidu's Apollo Autonomous Driving Foundation Model (ADFM) technology equips the purpose-built, fully electric RT6 vehicles designed for autonomous ride-hailing.
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