Self-driving robotaxis rolling out in London 'in the next few weeks' will provide 'critical' testing

Self-driving vehicles could be operational on UK streets in the coming months, GB News has been told, as London becomes the testing ground for autonomous robotaxis.

The UK could soon see hundreds, or even thousands, of self-driving vehicles on the road as the Government takes steps to ensure the emerging technology is rolled out safely and responsibly.

Speaking to GB News, Jeremy Bird, EVP Global Growth at Lyft, said testing of its self-driving vehicles is set to take place within weeks, with hopes to expand further soon.

In partnership with Chinese giant Baidu, Lyft will begin to test its Apollo Go RT6 fleet on the streets of London "in the next few weeks".

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He explained that Lyft was aiming to start commercial testing in London "early next year", noting that it was "hard to pin a precise date".

Lyft, which acquired the popular Freenow platform in 2025, stated that its autonomous vehicle future would involve a hybrid approach, with human drivers working alongside AVs.

Data from the San Francisco-based company states that 91 per cent of its human motorists drive for less than 20 hours a week, with AVs acting as a suitable option in conjunction with human drivers.

Deployments of its Apollo Go RT6 fleet will also be seen in Germany, with Lyft looking to scale the number of autonomous vehicles across Europe over the coming years.

Explaining why London was chosen to test self-driving vehicles, Mr Bird noted that the British capital was "unique", just like any other city where the technology is being tested.

He told GB News: "We have partnered with Baidu for AVs in London because of their proven technology and millions of miles of driverless experience, which will go a long way when it comes to navigating London's intricate landscape.

"The upcoming testing phase is a critical part of this journey, and will allow us to validate the technology locally, ensuring every single journey meets the highest safety standards before we launch with riders."

Other companies are also testing in London, including Wayve, with many vying to become the first service to offer self-driving hire vehicles for passengers.

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The UK Government has taken large steps in recent years to ensure companies choose to test on roads across the country, rather than in Europe or around the world.

It has consistently highlighted that self-driving vehicles could act as a critical piece of infrastructure to slash the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads.

Data from the Department for Transport notes that drivers currently contribute to 88 per cent of reported road collisions, with technology set to be utilised to eradicate these risks.

Labour recently announced a new consultation to hear from the public on the best way to roll out self-driving vehicles across roads, while placing driver confidence at the heart of the introduction.

It outlines that autonomous vehicles must meet a higher standard of safety than the average human driver, which must be demonstrated before they get the green light to operate.

Mr Bird explained that trust was "absolutely critical" to ensuring that autonomous vehicles work "effectively" alongside human drivers behind the wheel.

He added: "We cannot build a great service without it. That is why we place safety at the heart of our development process. We strictly follow safety-first principles and respect passenger privacy. We know trust takes time to build.

"It happens gradually, one ride at a time. We want each trip to prove our reliability. We encourage anyone who is sceptical to try the technology first."

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