Uber and Lyft rolling Baidu robotaxis into London next year

Cab drivers protested Uber’s arrival, but Westminster has rolled out the welcome mat for clanker chauffeurs

Robot taxis are coming to The Register’s London home in 2026.

Chinese web giant Baidu on Monday announced that a pilot of its Apollo Go robo-ride service will take place in the UK’s capital sometime in the first half of 2026, with help from Uber.

Uber declared itself “excited to accelerate Britain's leadership in the future of mobility, bringing another safe and reliable travel option to Londoners next year.”

Lyft is also teaming with Baidu in London.

“Our hybrid network - AVs and drivers working together - will serve all of London’s travel needs,” wrote CEO David Risher. “We’re working closely with Transport for London regulators and local communities to expand the rideshare market and create more opportunities for everyone.”

Baidu pointed out that its London experiments represent another entry to a “major right-hand drive market” made possible by its operations in former British colony Hong Kong.

When Uber and other rideshare companies entered new markets during the 2010s, they often scoffed at existing regulations and just started operations before lawmakers figured out how to regulate their services. In the UK, Uber became the subject of protests by cab drivers who saw the service as stealing their livelihoods and devaluing their hard-won – and expensive – licenses.

Uber eventually won a license to operate, then lost it, twice.

This time around, the UK has rolled out the welcome mat for robot cars under 2024’s Automated Vehicles Act.

Hazards ahead

Robo-taxis have conducted millions of uneventful rides, but remain susceptible to problems.

Last weekend, blackouts in San Francisco caused traffic lights to go dark. Waymo robo-cabs stopped at intersections – seemingly waiting for lights to change – causing traffic jams as they blocked human drivers.

The Register has covered many serious accidents and crashes involving robo-cars, plus moments when clanker chauffeurs struggled to navigate local traffic.

Infosec researchers have found attackers can easily confuse the machines, which can lead to dangerous outcomes.

So good luck, London. You may need it. ®