Tu Le, founder and managing director of Sino Auto Insights, says that the robotaxi business is a lynchpin in Baidu's efforts to pivot towards being known as an AI company, and that it's likely that Waymo will have to compete with Chinese robotaxi operators in the international market which remains up for grabs.

Lyft and Baidu want to launch a robotaxi service in Europe next year. Lyft will take care of customer services, Baidu will supply the vehicles.