Baidu Takes Europe for a Spin: How China’s Robotaxis Are Driving into Switzerland’s Future
When you think of Switzerland, you might imagine precision watches, chocolate, or postcard-perfect trains. But soon, it may also be home to something far more futuristic — self-driving robotaxis. In a move that underscores China’s growing tech influence in Europe, Baidu has announced a landmark partnership with PostBus, Switzerland’s largest public transport operator, to bring autonomous ride-hailing to Swiss roads.
A Leap from Beijing to St. Gallen
The deal, revealed on October 22, marks the European debut of Apollo Go, Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing arm. Through this partnership, the two companies will launch a new on-demand mobility service called “AmiGo”, debuting in eastern Switzerland — including the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Appenzell Innerrhoden.[1][2][3]
Testing is slated to begin in December 2025, starting with pilot fleets focused on mapping routes and safety calibration. By mid-2026, limited user trials will begin, and full public operations are scheduled for early 2027. Riders will be able to book autonomous cars — either private or shared rides — through a dedicated mobile app.[4][5]
China’s AI Giant Speeds Ahead
For Baidu, best known as China’s search engine titan, this is more than a transportation project. It’s part of a larger global expansion of its autonomous driving ecosystem. Apollo Go already runs fully driverless taxis in 16 cities worldwide, including futuristic hubs like Dubai and Hong Kong.[6]
Baidu’s move into Switzerland follows a recent spree of overseas partnerships: with Lyft in the U.K. and Germany, and with Uber across Asia and the Middle East. The company aims to be the first to secure a lasting foothold in Europe’s highly regulated mobility market — a space where American contenders like Waymo and local startups such as Wayve are also racing to stake claims.[7][4]
Why Switzerland Matters
Switzerland may seem an unlikely proving ground for driverless vehicles, but its reputation for precision engineering, dense urban planning, and public transport efficiency makes it an ideal sandbox for high-tech mobility pilots. PostBus — a subsidiary of Swiss Post — already operates one of Europe’s most integrated transport services. Pairing that with Baidu’s Level 4 autonomous RT6 vehicles could set a new benchmark for smart, sustainable, and scalable mobility.[8][3]
As Liang Zhang, Managing Director of EMEA at Apollo Go, noted: “We’re bringing world-leading autonomy to a market that values both safety and innovation.” It’s not just a commercial alliance — it’s a strategic statement about the global race in AI mobility leadership.[8]
The Bigger Picture
This partnership highlights China’s growing influence in Europe’s autonomous driving market, at a time when tech sovereignty and smart infrastructure are top policy concerns across the continent. It’s an inflection point: if the Swiss pilot succeeds, it could accelerate public acceptance of driverless vehicles across Europe — transforming commutes, logistics, and even tourism.
For Baidu, it’s also a well-timed move amid sluggish growth in its ad-driven business back home. As China’s economy cools, Baidu and other AI giants are increasingly looking outward — using global mobility projects as both showcases of innovation and sources of strategic diversification.[1][6]
Glossary
- Apollo Go – Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing division that operates a fleet of driverless taxis.
- PostBus (PostAuto) – Switzerland’s leading public transport operator and a subsidiary of Swiss Post.
- Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle – A classification where cars can drive themselves in most environments without human intervention.
- RT6 Vehicle – Baidu’s latest-generation electric vehicle designed specifically for full autonomy.
- AmiGo – The branded autonomous mobility service Baidu and PostBus plan to launch in Switzerland.
Source: Reuters – Baidu expands robotaxi push to Switzerland in PostBus deal
