The surprising news is this: Lyft, the American mobility platform similar to Uber (but smaller), and Baidu, the Chinese autonomous driving technology giant, plan to put driverless taxis on European streets as early as 2026, with Freenow as the local bridge. Yes, you read that right: neither Uber nor Waymo will be the first, but this somewhat unexpected strategic alliance.
Lyft surprised everyone by recently acquiring the European platform Freenow, established in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, and other countries, with extensive experience in fleet management and customer contact. Thanks to this acquisition, Lyft now has a key European presence and infrastructure.
For its part, Baidu is contributing its autonomous vehicle technology, already well-proven in China. So far, its cars have mostly operated in controlled environments and select cities in China; bringing them to Europe now represents a decisive expansion.
The synergy: Lyft uses its expertise in ride management, bookings, and customer service, while Baidu supplies the autonomous vehicle technology.
Uber and Waymo are fighting in the US to be pioneers in autonomous taxis, but so far they have not announced concrete plans in Europe as ambitious as this Lyft-Baidu alliance.
Lyft is ahead in the European race simply by acquiring Freenow and closing this deal with Baidu. A smart move that could give both companies a competitive advantage on the Old Continent.
But it's important to keep in mind that there is no unified regulation for autonomous taxis in any European country. Each territory has its own rules, which are often slow to adapt. Even so, companies like Lyft and Baidu are seeking partial permits, city by city.
This allows them to operate in controlled environments or pilot areas, gain experience and real-world data, and, in the process, generate revenue while regulations are being implemented.
This is a scenario that's evolving everywhere: more money is being invested each year by large technology companies, car manufacturers, and startups. Everyone is pushing to capture a share of a huge market, which will expand further once regulations are in place. But, as always, technology outpaces the law.
Cities like Berlin and London could be ideal laboratories for these tests, given their density, infrastructure, and constant flow of passengers. And by 2026, we could see autonomous taxis operating in designated areas, with reinforced safety protocols and hybrid human-oversight systems.
Lyft will be front and center for the user: in-app booking, pricing, and customer service. Baidu, for its part, handles the car's "brain," sensors, artificial intelligence, and driving.
But what's at stake is:
. Safety and trust: ensuring the technology works well in European environments, with different climates, signs, and traffic.
. Legality and ethics: rules on liability, insurance, emergencies, personal data... still under development.
Competition and collaboration: Will other European or Asian platforms eventually join in? Will Uber or Waymo refuse to enter late?
Local economy: What will happen to human drivers? Will there be training, retraining, or resistance?
By 2026, that date that seems close, we could be seeing the real takeoff of autonomous taxis in Europe. The Lyft-Baidu movement has all the ingredients: local presence, advanced technology, and a market ready to innovate.
But history won't be written until the vehicles are on the road, European laws respond swiftly, and—above all—customers use these new services.
Until then, science, investment, and ingenuity will continue to move... at full speed.
EN 
ES