Europe’s Initial Robotaxi Launch Features an Unexpected Name and Electric Vehicle | Carscoops

      The Apollo RT6 was developed from scratch to be fully autonomous.

      Baidu's Apollo RT6 minivan has successfully completed over 11 million rides in China.

      Lyft and Baidu are set to kick off their European service in Germany and the UK initially.

      The Apollo RT6 is equipped with 8 LiDAR sensors and 12 cameras, along with advanced software.

      The transportation industry is rapidly changing, with robotaxis playing a key role in this transformation. Not willing to let Uber, Waymo, and Tesla dominate the sector, ride-hailing giant Lyft is also getting involved. Along with its plans to create a robotaxi fleet in the US, Lyft has partnered with Chinese tech firm Baidu to introduce self-driving taxis in Europe next year.

      Similar to Waymo, which utilizes specially modified Jaguar I-Paces for its robotaxi fleet, Lyft is not constructing its own dedicated autonomous taxis. Instead, its European fleet will feature the Apollo RT6 from Baidu, which has been operational in China since 2022.

      This minivan was designed from the beginning to be entirely self-driving, and Baidu has completed more than 11 million rides in 15 cities through its robotaxi service.

      Initial Launch in Germany and the UK

      Lyft has stated that its robotaxi fleet in Europe will initially launch in Germany and the United Kingdom next year, although this is "pending regulatory approval." If everything proceeds as planned, the company aims to significantly expand its fleet in subsequent years, ultimately deploying thousands of vehicles across the continent.

      All Apollo RT6 vehicles operating in Europe will be outfitted with Baidu's full sensor package, including 8 LiDAR sensors and 12 cameras. Lyft also mentioned it will "collaborate closely with European regulators and stakeholders to ensure that vehicles adhere to all required safety standards and regulations."

      The Age Of The Robotaxi

      “Our collaboration with Baidu focuses on delivering an excellent customer experience,” stated Lyft CEO David Risher. “Their vast experience in managing the world’s largest autonomous ride-hailing service allows us to provide all the advantages of autonomous vehicles—safety, dependability, and privacy—to millions of Europeans.”

      He also emphasized that robotaxis will not completely replace human drivers. “It’s part of our hybrid network strategy, where autonomous vehicles and human drivers collaborate to offer customer-centric options for riders,” Risher added. “Importantly, we are dedicated to working closely with local regulators to ensure we roll out these vehicles in a smart and considerate manner that benefits everyone in their communities.”