The first road tests will take place in the London borough of Brent, where Apollo Go will deploy its sixth-generation RT6 robotaxis. The vehicles will initially operate on urban and suburban routes with safety drivers on board, paving the way for a planned commercial passenger service from 2027, subject to regulatory approval.
The initiative stems from a strategic partnership agreed last year to integrate Apollo Go’s autonomous driving technology into Freenow by Lyft’s platform across key European markets. While Apollo Go provides the technological foundation and the RT6 vehicles—specifically designed for ride-hailing—Freenow contributes its local market expertise and operational capabilities.
The project in the British capital benefits directly from recent test successes in Hong Kong, where Apollo Go received the first driverless test permit for right-hand-drive markets in July 2026.
“The arrival of Apollo Go vehicles in London marks a defining milestone in our global expansion,” said Nan Yang, Vice President of Baidu and General Manager of Overseas Business Unit, Intelligent Driving Group. “Testing our autonomous fleet in one of the world’s most iconic and complex urban environments validates our technology’s maturity and our commitment to this market.”
