Resolution criteria
The market resolves YES if any Baidu electric vehicle is available to ride in London at any point during 2026 for a member of the public (ie not closed beta) via the Uber or Lyft app
Resolution will be confirmed via official announcements from Baidu, Uber, Lyft, or Transport for London (TfL) confirming that rides are available to the public in London.
Background
Baidu has announced plans to bring robotaxis to London starting in 2026 through partnerships with Lyft and Uber, with Apollo Go autonomous vehicles to be available through both platforms. The vehicles are Baidu's RT6 models—fully electric cars designed specifically for ride-hailing, developed from the outset to operate without a driver. Baidu's Apollo Go operates in 22 cities globally with more than 250,000 weekly trips. The UK government announced in June 2025 that it would accelerate plans to allow autonomous vehicle technology on public roads, with the government aiming to begin permitting robotaxis to operate in small-scale pilots starting in spring 2026.
Considerations
Transport for London has struck a cautious tone, pointing to unresolved legislative and safety questions as the UK prepares for wider autonomous vehicle deployment. If testing proves successful and regulatory hurdles are cleared, the planned expansion to hundreds of vehicles could significantly change how people move around the capital. Uber has indicated commercial services in London are expected before the end of 2026, suggesting availability may extend beyond initial testing phases.
1,000