Baidu Gets Swiss Nod for Europe's Biggest Robotaxi Service

Baidu's self-driving venture AmiGo, a joint venture with Swiss postal operator PostBus, has received regulatory clearance to operate robotaxis in eastern Switzerland. The approval clears the way for what the companies call Europe's largest automated public transport service.

The service will use Baidu's electric RT6 vehicles, equipped with lidar and cameras. Passengers will book rides through a dedicated app. Initially a safety driver will sit behind the wheel. The goal is a fully driverless system by early 2027.

The Swiss approval marks a milestone for Baidu's push to expand autonomous driving beyond China. The company runs robotaxi fleets in Beijing, Wuhan, and other Chinese cities. Europe brings different regulatory hurdles and infrastructure. PostBus contributes local route knowledge and a bus network that could support the service.

Switzerland required months of safety assessments and data privacy reviews. That clearance removes one barrier. Operational risk remains. Swiss roads include mountain passes and narrow village streets, conditions Baidu's sensor stack and decision algorithms rarely encounter in its Chinese operations.

The companies did not disclose the number of vehicles or route kilometers for the service. If AmiGo reaches its 2027 target without major incidents, it could set a precedent for other European countries. A stumble could prompt tighter regulation.

Baidu competes with Waymo and Cruise in autonomous ride-hailing. Cruise scaled back after a pedestrian-dragging incident. The Swiss approval gives Baidu a European foothold before either U.S. rival has secured a similar permit on the continent.

The companies are targeting early 2027 for a fully driverless rollout.