Baidu began autonomous-vehicle testing in London through partnerships with Lyft and Freenow, with public service targeted for 2027. Waymo was also testing there with safety operators, while Uber and Wayve were preparing a robotaxi launch during 2026.
Urban significance: London offers a demanding environment involving dense traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, historic road layouts, congestion rules, and highly regulated private-hire transportation. Success there could provide a model for AV deployment in other large European cities.
