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Baidu Partners with Switzerland’s PostBus to Launch Apollo Go Robotaxis in Europe

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Baidu (9888.HK) announced a partnership with Switzerland’s PostBus on Wednesday to bring its Apollo Go autonomous vehicle service to the country, marking the Chinese tech giant’s first robotaxi deployment in Europe. The deal highlights Baidu’s rapid international expansion in self-driving technology amid slowing growth in its traditional advertising business.

Under the partnership, PostBus, a subsidiary of Swiss Post and one of the country’s major public transport operators, will collaborate with Baidu to introduce driverless vehicles to eastern Switzerland. The service will cover the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Appenzell Innerrhoden, with a trial fleet set to begin testing in December 2025 and full operations expected by early 2027, according to Baidu’s statement.

The agreement follows Baidu’s recent partnerships with Lyft and Uber, under which the company will deploy thousands of its Apollo Go robotaxis across several European and international markets beginning next year. The Swiss launch signals Baidu’s ambition to become a key player in global autonomous mobility, challenging U.S. and European rivals such as Waymo, Cruise, and Mobileye.

Baidu said its Apollo Go platform now operates more than 1,000 fully driverless vehicles in 16 cities worldwide, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong. The company has positioned Apollo Go as one of the largest autonomous ride-hailing services in the world, with millions of rides completed.

As China’s economy cools, Baidu has increasingly shifted its focus toward artificial intelligence and autonomous transportation technologies to diversify its revenue. The collaboration with PostBus gives Baidu a foothold in the European market, where regulatory approval for driverless vehicles has been gradually expanding.

Industry analysts say the partnership could make Switzerland a testing ground for wider European adoption of Baidu’s robotaxi systems, blending Chinese innovation with Swiss public transport infrastructure.

Lyft to open major Toronto tech hub as company expands beyond U.S.

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Lyft announced plans to open a new technology hub in downtown Toronto in the second half of 2026, marking the company’s second-largest tech center after San Francisco. The move signals a major step in Lyft’s effort to expand its international presence and reduce dependence on the U.S. market.

The new office, located in Toronto’s financial district, will host several hundred employees across engineering, product, operations, and marketing roles. It aims to tap into the city’s rich pool of tech talent and innovation, according to the company.

Rides in Canada rose more than 20% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, highlighting the country’s growing importance in Lyft’s global strategy. The company first entered the Canadian market in 2017 and also operates bikeshare programs in Ontario and Quebec, including Bikeshare Toronto.

Lyft’s expansion follows its $200 million acquisition of European mobility platform FreeNow from BMW and Mercedes-Benz earlier this year, giving it a significant foothold in Europe. The company also opened a global tech hub in Barcelona this summer under FreeNow, which employs several hundred workers.

Additionally, Lyft recently acquired TBR Global Chauffeuring, a luxury transport company operating in 120 countries, for £83 million ($111 million), marking its entry into the high-end mobility market.

Lyft pays $19.4 million to New Jersey over driver classification dispute

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Lyft has agreed to pay $19.4 million to New Jersey after state officials concluded the company misclassified more than 100,000 drivers as independent contractors between 2014 and 2017. The payment follows an audit by the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which found Lyft failed to make required contributions to unemployment, disability, and family leave funds.

The audit assessed Lyft $10.8 million in unpaid contributions plus $8.5 million in penalties and interest. Lyft initially contested the findings but later withdrew its request for a hearing, paying the balance to settle the matter. The company said it still believes it classified drivers properly under state law but chose not to pursue further legal challenges.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin and Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said the misclassification deprived workers of critical protections. “There is no reason temporary or on-demand workers … can’t be treated like other employees,” Asaro-Angelo emphasized.

The case reflects a broader trend of scrutiny on gig economy companies. Lyft previously reached a $27 million settlement with Massachusetts in June 2024, and both Lyft and Uber continue to face regulatory battles over whether drivers should be treated as employees entitled to benefits such as minimum wage, overtime, and sick leave.