RT6 vehicles are being tested with safety operators. The partners aim to welcome public riders in 2027; fully driverless deployment requires regulatory permission and further validation. No public fares, service map or booking date have been announced.
What happened in London on October 22–23?
Reuters reported on October 23, 2026 that Baidu's Apollo Go and Lyft-owned Freenow presented the RT6 to journalists in London on October 22. This was a new public demonstration, not the beginning of testing. The companies' official July 28 announcement had already confirmed that supervised testing was underway.
Can you book an Apollo Go RT6 in London?
Not yet. Freenow by Lyft says it intends to welcome public riders in 2027. The companies have not confirmed a booking launch date, passenger pricing or the availability of a fully driverless service. The projected 2027 rollout should not be treated as a guaranteed launch.
Where are RT6 robotaxis testing?
The official July announcement identified the borough of Brent as the initial testing area, chosen for its mix of urban and suburban roads. That does not establish a public pickup area, route list or permission to carry paying passengers without a driver.
Is the Apollo Go RT6 a Level 4 robotaxi?
The electric RT6 is purpose-built for autonomous ride-hailing and is designed around Baidu's autonomous-driving system. However, vehicle capability and deployed service status are different: London trials currently include a safety operator. Under SAE Level 4, the automated driving system must handle the driving task and fallback within its approved operational design domain without relying on a human to take over. See our guides to supervised autonomous driving and robotaxis.
How does this compare with Wayve, Uber and Waymo in London?
| Programme | London status on 23 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Baidu Apollo Go + Freenow by Lyft | RT6 testing with onboard safety operators; public riders targeted in 2027. |
| Wayve + Uber | Supervised autonomous passenger rides, with a trained human driver onboard. |
| Waymo | Preparing for UK driverless service; any commercial start remains dependent on approvals and the operator's confirmed rollout. |
These are not three interchangeable driverless services. A supervised passenger ride, a test vehicle and a public fully driverless service have different operational and regulatory meanings.
What needs to happen before driverless rides begin?
The operator must demonstrate safety and satisfy the relevant UK authorization and passenger-service requirements. Transport for London and UK authorities are overseeing evolving autonomous-passenger-vehicle arrangements. The London Assembly's August 2026 statement illustrates why supervised approval must not be confused with authorization for fully autonomous passenger operation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baidu Apollo Go available through Freenow now?
No public London RT6 bookings have been confirmed as of October 23, 2026.
Will RT6 robotaxis replace London's black cabs?
Freenow says it plans a hybrid network combining existing taxi and private-hire drivers with autonomous vehicles, rather than replacing the black cab service.
Is a safety operator the same as remote supervision?
No. The London RT6 tests have onboard safety operators. Remote assistance and in-vehicle safety driving are different roles; neither by itself proves driverless Level 4 service.
Related CarGlossary guides
Automotive technology hub · Wayve + Uber London · Robotaxi definition · Level 4 automation · Autonomous-vehicle safety case
Sources and verification
- Freenow by Lyft — official testing announcement, July 28, 2026
- Lyft — operator confirmation and initial Brent testing, July 28, 2026
- Reuters — London RT6 public demonstration, October 23, 2026
- London Assembly — distinction between supervised and driverless permissions, August 5, 2026
Editorial status checked 23 October 2026. Future launch dates are targets, not verified live availability.