China’s Baidu Brings Futuristic Autonomous Taxis to Europe

Baidu is reportedly preparing to launch its inaugural driverless taxi service in Europe, expanding its autonomous mobility ambitions.

According to a Wall Street Journal report citing knowledgeable sources, Baidu’s autonomous taxi service, Apollo Go, is scheduled for testing in Switzerland before year-end.

Rising competition in the sector is driving the expansion of self-driving taxis into Turkey and the Middle East.

In a move toward autonomous mobility, Uber stated this month that it will deploy driverless taxis in Europe next year, partnering with China’s Momenta to accelerate its efforts.

The CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, stated at the time that the initiative aims to create a future where more riders worldwide can benefit from reliable and cost-effective autonomous mobility.

Alphabet-owned Waymo has rolled out robotaxis in multiple U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, with further expansion to Georgia and Japan set for this year.

Driverless taxis have encountered opposition in certain regions, as San Francisco city officials cite their role in obstructing emergency responders and worsening traffic.

In February of last year, an unoccupied Waymo taxi was vandalised, its windows were smashed, it was doused in paint, and ultimately set on fire. That same month, another Waymo vehicle was involved in a collision with a cyclist, allegedly failing to detect the rider who was obscured behind a truck at an intersection.

At the time, a Waymo spokesperson explained that the cyclist had been hidden from view by the truck and emerged quickly behind it, moving into the path of the Waymo vehicle.

Baidu has been deploying its fully autonomous Apollo Go taxis across China for several years, operating without the need for human safety drivers.

Wuhan stands as its largest market, with over 500 robotaxis providing round-the-clock service across more than half of the city.

Baidu’s expansion into Switzerland follows a partnership with PostAuto, a subsidiary of Swiss Post that oversees public bus operations. Neither Baidu nor Swiss Post responded immediately to requests for comment.

In conclusion, Baidu’s expansion into Switzerland via its collaboration with PostAuto marks a critical milestone in the global driverless revolution. As autonomous transportation moves beyond experimental phases, this initiative could redefine urban mobility across Europe, setting the stage for broader adoption.

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