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Asus ExpertBook P3 Review: A Dependable Workhorse Laptop

Asus ExpertBook P3 Review: A Dependable Workhorse Laptop

2025 has been the year Asus opened its enterprise-level laptops to consumers. And after reviewing the ExpertBook P1 a month back, next up on the line is the ExpertBook P3. The laptop, while maintaining the same fundamentals, builds on the P1 in several key areas that could make it a more suitable option for many business professionals.

I had the opportunity to test the ExpertBook P3 over a period of two weeks. In this review, I’ll share my experience using the device as my primary work laptop, including how it performed and integrated into my workflow.

Asus ExpertBook P3 Review

Hisan Kidwai

Summary

The Asus ExpertBook is a dependable machine that gets the job done. It has an excellent keyboard and trackpad, ample performance, a decent screen, and a form factor that can fit in any backpack without causing pain.

Design & Hardware

Right out of the box, the ExpertBook P3 looks ready for businesses, and in the best way possible. Asus has built on the P1’s design and given the P3 an all-aluminium chassis, which not only makes for a stealthy business laptop but also one that feels premium too. There are very few laptops that can match the MacBook’s touch and feel, but the P3 does, and that’s a huge compliment.

When you open up the laptop, the same premium feeling continues. The soft-touch aluminum surface makes for a super comfortable typing experience. The matte finish also helps prevent fingerprints and smudges. The hinge can open up to a sweet 180 degrees, which can be useful in an office environment. That said, if I had to nitpick, the hinge’s resistive force was a bit lacking. When placing the laptop from one desk to another, the hinge wouldn’t hold the screen tightly, and it would swing out.

Back Design of the laptop

Weighing at 1.42 kgs and only 18mm thick, the ExpertBook P3 is a breeze to carry around, too. I visited several coffee shops to work, and the laptop never once felt heavy or bulky in my backpack. The P3 also comes with MIL-STD-810H military-grade certification. And while I didn’t drop the laptop at any time, I was pretty assured that even if the accident did happen, it would likely survive.

Considering the P3 is a business laptop, it’s packed full of all the ports you need. The left side features a dual USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port (with support for DisplayPort and 10 Gbps data transfer), an HDMI 2.1 port, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, and a headphone jack. On the other side, there’s another USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port, along with an RJ45 Ethernet port and a Kensington Lock slot.

Keyboard & Trackpad

Image of the keyboard on Asus ExpertBook P3

The keyboard is one of the biggest cornerstones when making a business laptop, and the one on the ExpertBook P3 is pretty solid. It’s pretty MacBook-like in the sense that the keys are extremely tactile and have ample space between them. However, the P3 differentiates itself by offering more travel, and depending on your preference, this could be a significant advantage. I like Asus’s direction, and I had no problems getting used to the new layout and typing this whole review on the device.

The same praises can be said for the trackpad as well. That’s because it’s spacious, the surface is smooth, and the clicking experience is pretty good. Of course, there’s more pressure required when clicking in the upper regions, but that’s expected from every non-haptic trackpad.

Display

Image of the display

The Asus ExpertBook P3 houses a 14-inch FHD 16:10 IPS display, with a peak brightness of over 400 nits. And I have no complaints about it. The panel is color-accurate, sharp, and performs well when it comes to reading articles, sending emails, or browsing the web. The wide aspect ratio plays a big part in making the screen better for productivity tasks, allowing more content to fit on the screen.

The multimedia experience, on the other hand, was decent too. I wouldn’t call it the best, but for occasional movie-watching sessions or scrolling YouTube, the panel gets the job done.

Performance

Image of a person using the laptop

The Asus ExpertBook P3 features Intel 13th series processors, with my review unit equipped with the top-of-the-line Intel Core i7-13620H, which has a 40W TDP, along with up to 64 GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD.

On paper, the P3 is a pretty capable machine, and the same stays true in reality as well. The laptop breezes past the UI without any hiccups and remains cool throughout the process, too. I had no issues performing my everyday tasks, such as browsing the web, writing articles, and watching YouTube.

Taking things up a notch to heavier tasks, such as programming, the P3 delivers here as well. The abundance of RAM made everything load up quickly with no issues whatsoever. I also tried editing a few Instagram reels on the P3, and the experience was okayish. You can edit basic videos in 1080p, but due to the lack of a dedicated GPU, you shouldn’t expect anything more.

Like the P1, the ExpertBook P3 features several business-related enhancements, including a commercial-grade BIOS that provides better protection against threat actors. Then there is the Business Manager app, which, as the name suggests, allows employers to restrict certain aspects of the computer for a better work environment. At last, the P3 comes with the Expert Meeting app that improves video calls by isolating audio and can even transcribe meetings.

Since this is a review, I also had to put the Intel Core i7-13620H through its paces by running a series of benchmarks. In Geekbench 6, the laptop scored 2,071 in the single-core test and 8,320 in the multi-core test. In the GPU benchmark, however, the P3 struggled, managing only 11,679 points.

Battery Life & Charging

Image of the metrics on the Asus ExpertBook P3

Asus claims a full day battery life, and with the lack of a GPU, I expected the same. But surprisingly, the P3 didn’t last me the whole workday. Instead, I got roughly 4-5 hours of screen-on time with medium usage, which included browsing the web, writing articles, and testing a bit of programming.

Fortunately, Asus does bundle a fast charger, which takes the laptop from 20% to 80% in just over an hour.

Webcam & Speakers

Image of the webcam on the Asus ExpertBook P3

The ExpertBook P3 features a 720p IR webcam with Windows Hello support, which gets the job done. Give it enough light, and the videos are pretty adequate with nice skin tones and some HDR. However, this quality deteriorates quickly in low light.

The speakers, on the other hand, are the same old story of being placed underneath the chassis. This dampens their output when placed on any non-hard surface, and makes the multimedia experience lackluster. That said, the quality was decent when the laptop was placed on hard surfaces, with a good amount of bass and treble.

Should You Buy the Asus ExpertBook P3?

Design image of the Asus ExpertBook P3

At a starting price of INR 64,990, the Asus ExpertBook P3 is a dependable machine that gets the job done no matter what the task is. There is nothing wrong with the device, and Asus has stuck to the things that matter most to professionals. These include an excellent keyboard and trackpad, ample performance, a decent screen, and a form factor that can fit in any backpack without causing pain.

Of course, there are some drawbacks too, such as the battery life, but that doesn’t weigh down the P3 from getting a recommendation from my side.

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#Asus #ExpertBook #Review #Dependable #Workhorse #Laptop

Despite what influencers may say, you don’t need to spend $99.99 on Dyson’s HushJet Mini Cool or $149.99 for the Shark ChillPill to survive the summer whenever you leave the comfort of air-conditioning. My family has found all the comfort it needs to survive humid baseball games, sweltering concerts, and sweaty hikes with a couple of affordable handheld fans from a Chinese company called JisuLife that has spent the past decade honing its hardware.

At the start of the summer, I impulse-purchased a pair of JisuLife Life10 S fans from Costco, which at CDN $25 each (or $32.99 through Amazon), are among the most basic offerings from the company. JisuLife’s extensive lineup includes some fan models costing close to $100 with features like reverse-charging to power your phone and 100 different speed settings. I want all those features, but my goal was to not spend several hundred dollars on personal cooling devices that could easily go missing or get damaged during the chaos of summer activities.

A look at the back of the JisuLife Life10 S hand fan.

On the back of the fan is a USB-C charging port and a sliding power switch that prevents the fan from accidentally turning on while it’s being jostled around inside a bag.

The Life10 S’ functionality is comparatively basic, but also easy to use. A sliding power switch on the back prevents it from accidentally turning on while banging around inside a backpack, and a single button on the front cycles through five different fan speeds. There’s also a basic LCD display showing the battery’s remaining charge when the fan is first powered on and the current speed setting. It’s simple, but the Life10 S does its one job quietly and for a surprisingly long time.

A close-up of JisuLife Life10 S fan’s power button on the front.

A single button cycles through the fan’s five different speed settings.

When Dyson announced its first handheld fan in April, I assumed the company that had developed an expertise in moving air had created a personal cooling device that would outperform everything else on the market. My spouse loves their Dyson hair dryer, and I was sure the HushJet Mini Cool would be my secret weapon for surviving hot and humid summers, even if at $99 it was a splurge. But having used both Dyson’s personal fan and JisuLife’s $25 alternative, I only reach for the latter when braving the world without AC.

A close-up of the basic LCD display on the front of the JisuLife Life10 S fan.

The basic LCD display on the front of the fan is sometimes hard to see because it’s hidden behind a reflective black cover, but the fan is easy to use without being able to see it.

Dyson’s HushJet Mini Cool wraps impressive engineering in an eye-catching design, and at its highest setting, it easily out blasts JisuLife’s even with the Life10 S set to full power. But even at its lowest setting, the HushJet is loud with a high-pitched whine reminiscent of Dyson’s vacuums. I don’t mind that sound when it’s limited to short bursts of cleaning at ground level, but not when coming from a tiny fan designed to be used close to your face and ears. The JisuLife fan produces sound at a much lower frequency, making it easier to tolerate for hours, even if it’s far from whisper quiet at full power.

What impresses me more about the JisuLife fan is how long its 5,000mAh battery keeps it running. At half power, which we find is strong enough to cool us down on even the hottest days, the fan ran for just over 16 hours before needing a charge. That’s far longer than my son lasted at the water park. For comparison, Dyson estimates the HushJet Mini Cool will run for up to six hours at its lowest setting, and at full power, I had it die after just over an hour.

I haven’t tested the even pricier Shark ChillPill that combines a fan with a metal cooling plate the company claims can lower skin temperature by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit in seconds. You can cool down by pressing it all over your body, but it only cools for as long as the fan has power. SharkNinja estimates the ChillPill will run for up to 11 hours at its lowest setting, or just an hour-and-a-half at max power. That approach could be very effective, but I’m not spending $150 to find out.

I’ve also tested the wearable neck fans that seem to be very popular among the cashiers at my local Costco, but I didn’t find them to be as effective as I’d hoped. The breeze is spread out across the length of the fan and doesn’t feel as intense as a handheld fan, and wearing it positions the motor right below your ear at all times, so it’s a constant drone. I see why they’re useful, but it’s not an experience anyone in my family enjoyed.

After a successful summer with these fans, I’m already keeping an eye out for sales on other JisuLife models, including a hands-free version you wear hanging from your neck. But I’m also expecting these cheaper alternatives will continue to be the first thing we pack when heading out on adventures for the rest of the summer and probably for years to come.

Photography by Andrew Liszewski / The Verge

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
#dont #splurge #expensive #handheld #fan #beat #heatDeals,Gadgets,Hands-on,Reviews,Tech,Verge Shopping">You don’t need to splurge on an expensive handheld fan to beat the heatDespite what influencers may say, you don’t need to spend .99 on Dyson’s HushJet Mini Cool or 9.99 for the Shark ChillPill to survive the summer whenever you leave the comfort of air-conditioning. My family has found all the comfort it needs to survive humid baseball games, sweltering concerts, and sweaty hikes with a couple of affordable handheld fans from a Chinese company called JisuLife that has spent the past decade honing its hardware.At the start of the summer, I impulse-purchased a pair of JisuLife Life10 S fans from Costco, which at CDN  each (or .99 through Amazon), are among the most basic offerings from the company. JisuLife’s extensive lineup includes some fan models costing close to 0 with features like reverse-charging to power your phone and 100 different speed settings. I want all those features, but my goal was to not spend several hundred dollars on personal cooling devices that could easily go missing or get damaged during the chaos of summer activities.On the back of the fan is a USB-C charging port and a sliding power switch that prevents the fan from accidentally turning on while it’s being jostled around inside a bag.The Life10 S’ functionality is comparatively basic, but also easy to use. A sliding power switch on the back prevents it from accidentally turning on while banging around inside a backpack, and a single button on the front cycles through five different fan speeds. There’s also a basic LCD display showing the battery’s remaining charge when the fan is first powered on and the current speed setting. It’s simple, but the Life10 S does its one job quietly and for a surprisingly long time.A single button cycles through the fan’s five different speed settings.When Dyson announced its first handheld fan in April, I assumed the company that had developed an expertise in moving air had created a personal cooling device that would outperform everything else on the market. My spouse loves their Dyson hair dryer, and I was sure the HushJet Mini Cool would be my secret weapon for surviving hot and humid summers, even if at  it was a splurge. But having used both Dyson’s personal fan and JisuLife’s  alternative, I only reach for the latter when braving the world without AC.The basic LCD display on the front of the fan is sometimes hard to see because it’s hidden behind a reflective black cover, but the fan is easy to use without being able to see it.Dyson’s HushJet Mini Cool wraps impressive engineering in an eye-catching design, and at its highest setting, it easily out blasts JisuLife’s even with the Life10 S set to full power. But even at its lowest setting, the HushJet is loud with a high-pitched whine reminiscent of Dyson’s vacuums. I don’t mind that sound when it’s limited to short bursts of cleaning at ground level, but not when coming from a tiny fan designed to be used close to your face and ears. The JisuLife fan produces sound at a much lower frequency, making it easier to tolerate for hours, even if it’s far from whisper quiet at full power.What impresses me more about the JisuLife fan is how long its 5,000mAh battery keeps it running. At half power, which we find is strong enough to cool us down on even the hottest days, the fan ran for just over 16 hours before needing a charge. That’s far longer than my son lasted at the water park. For comparison, Dyson estimates the HushJet Mini Cool will run for up to six hours at its lowest setting, and at full power, I had it die after just over an hour.I haven’t tested the even pricier Shark ChillPill that combines a fan with a metal cooling plate the company claims can lower skin temperature by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit in seconds. You can cool down by pressing it all over your body, but it only cools for as long as the fan has power. SharkNinja estimates the ChillPill will run for up to 11 hours at its lowest setting, or just an hour-and-a-half at max power. That approach could be very effective, but I’m not spending 0 to find out.I’ve also tested the wearable neck fans that seem to be very popular among the cashiers at my local Costco, but I didn’t find them to be as effective as I’d hoped. The breeze is spread out across the length of the fan and doesn’t feel as intense as a handheld fan, and wearing it positions the motor right below your ear at all times, so it’s a constant drone. I see why they’re useful, but it’s not an experience anyone in my family enjoyed.After a successful summer with these fans, I’m already keeping an eye out for sales on other JisuLife models, including a hands-free version you wear hanging from your neck. But I’m also expecting these cheaper alternatives will continue to be the first thing we pack when heading out on adventures for the rest of the summer and probably for years to come.Photography by Andrew Liszewski / The VergeFollow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiDealsCloseDealsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All DealsGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsHands-onCloseHands-onPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Hands-onReviewsCloseReviewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ReviewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechVerge ShoppingCloseVerge ShoppingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Verge Shopping#dont #splurge #expensive #handheld #fan #beat #heatDeals,Gadgets,Hands-on,Reviews,Tech,Verge Shopping

Dyson’s HushJet Mini Cool or $149.99 for the Shark ChillPill to survive the summer whenever you leave the comfort of air-conditioning. My family has found all the comfort it needs to survive humid baseball games, sweltering concerts, and sweaty hikes with a couple of affordable handheld fans from a Chinese company called JisuLife that has spent the past decade honing its hardware.

At the start of the summer, I impulse-purchased a pair of JisuLife Life10 S fans from Costco, which at CDN $25 each (or $32.99 through Amazon), are among the most basic offerings from the company. JisuLife’s extensive lineup includes some fan models costing close to $100 with features like reverse-charging to power your phone and 100 different speed settings. I want all those features, but my goal was to not spend several hundred dollars on personal cooling devices that could easily go missing or get damaged during the chaos of summer activities.

A look at the back of the JisuLife Life10 S hand fan.

On the back of the fan is a USB-C charging port and a sliding power switch that prevents the fan from accidentally turning on while it’s being jostled around inside a bag.

The Life10 S’ functionality is comparatively basic, but also easy to use. A sliding power switch on the back prevents it from accidentally turning on while banging around inside a backpack, and a single button on the front cycles through five different fan speeds. There’s also a basic LCD display showing the battery’s remaining charge when the fan is first powered on and the current speed setting. It’s simple, but the Life10 S does its one job quietly and for a surprisingly long time.

A close-up of JisuLife Life10 S fan’s power button on the front.

A single button cycles through the fan’s five different speed settings.

When Dyson announced its first handheld fan in April, I assumed the company that had developed an expertise in moving air had created a personal cooling device that would outperform everything else on the market. My spouse loves their Dyson hair dryer, and I was sure the HushJet Mini Cool would be my secret weapon for surviving hot and humid summers, even if at $99 it was a splurge. But having used both Dyson’s personal fan and JisuLife’s $25 alternative, I only reach for the latter when braving the world without AC.

A close-up of the basic LCD display on the front of the JisuLife Life10 S fan.

The basic LCD display on the front of the fan is sometimes hard to see because it’s hidden behind a reflective black cover, but the fan is easy to use without being able to see it.

Dyson’s HushJet Mini Cool wraps impressive engineering in an eye-catching design, and at its highest setting, it easily out blasts JisuLife’s even with the Life10 S set to full power. But even at its lowest setting, the HushJet is loud with a high-pitched whine reminiscent of Dyson’s vacuums. I don’t mind that sound when it’s limited to short bursts of cleaning at ground level, but not when coming from a tiny fan designed to be used close to your face and ears. The JisuLife fan produces sound at a much lower frequency, making it easier to tolerate for hours, even if it’s far from whisper quiet at full power.

What impresses me more about the JisuLife fan is how long its 5,000mAh battery keeps it running. At half power, which we find is strong enough to cool us down on even the hottest days, the fan ran for just over 16 hours before needing a charge. That’s far longer than my son lasted at the water park. For comparison, Dyson estimates the HushJet Mini Cool will run for up to six hours at its lowest setting, and at full power, I had it die after just over an hour.

I haven’t tested the even pricier Shark ChillPill that combines a fan with a metal cooling plate the company claims can lower skin temperature by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit in seconds. You can cool down by pressing it all over your body, but it only cools for as long as the fan has power. SharkNinja estimates the ChillPill will run for up to 11 hours at its lowest setting, or just an hour-and-a-half at max power. That approach could be very effective, but I’m not spending $150 to find out.

I’ve also tested the wearable neck fans that seem to be very popular among the cashiers at my local Costco, but I didn’t find them to be as effective as I’d hoped. The breeze is spread out across the length of the fan and doesn’t feel as intense as a handheld fan, and wearing it positions the motor right below your ear at all times, so it’s a constant drone. I see why they’re useful, but it’s not an experience anyone in my family enjoyed.

After a successful summer with these fans, I’m already keeping an eye out for sales on other JisuLife models, including a hands-free version you wear hanging from your neck. But I’m also expecting these cheaper alternatives will continue to be the first thing we pack when heading out on adventures for the rest of the summer and probably for years to come.

Photography by Andrew Liszewski / The Verge

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.

#dont #splurge #expensive #handheld #fan #beat #heatDeals,Gadgets,Hands-on,Reviews,Tech,Verge Shopping">You don’t need to splurge on an expensive handheld fan to beat the heat

Despite what influencers may say, you don’t need to spend $99.99 on Dyson’s HushJet Mini Cool or $149.99 for the Shark ChillPill to survive the summer whenever you leave the comfort of air-conditioning. My family has found all the comfort it needs to survive humid baseball games, sweltering concerts, and sweaty hikes with a couple of affordable handheld fans from a Chinese company called JisuLife that has spent the past decade honing its hardware.

At the start of the summer, I impulse-purchased a pair of JisuLife Life10 S fans from Costco, which at CDN $25 each (or $32.99 through Amazon), are among the most basic offerings from the company. JisuLife’s extensive lineup includes some fan models costing close to $100 with features like reverse-charging to power your phone and 100 different speed settings. I want all those features, but my goal was to not spend several hundred dollars on personal cooling devices that could easily go missing or get damaged during the chaos of summer activities.

A look at the back of the JisuLife Life10 S hand fan.

On the back of the fan is a USB-C charging port and a sliding power switch that prevents the fan from accidentally turning on while it’s being jostled around inside a bag.

The Life10 S’ functionality is comparatively basic, but also easy to use. A sliding power switch on the back prevents it from accidentally turning on while banging around inside a backpack, and a single button on the front cycles through five different fan speeds. There’s also a basic LCD display showing the battery’s remaining charge when the fan is first powered on and the current speed setting. It’s simple, but the Life10 S does its one job quietly and for a surprisingly long time.

A close-up of JisuLife Life10 S fan’s power button on the front.

A single button cycles through the fan’s five different speed settings.

When Dyson announced its first handheld fan in April, I assumed the company that had developed an expertise in moving air had created a personal cooling device that would outperform everything else on the market. My spouse loves their Dyson hair dryer, and I was sure the HushJet Mini Cool would be my secret weapon for surviving hot and humid summers, even if at $99 it was a splurge. But having used both Dyson’s personal fan and JisuLife’s $25 alternative, I only reach for the latter when braving the world without AC.

A close-up of the basic LCD display on the front of the JisuLife Life10 S fan.

The basic LCD display on the front of the fan is sometimes hard to see because it’s hidden behind a reflective black cover, but the fan is easy to use without being able to see it.

Dyson’s HushJet Mini Cool wraps impressive engineering in an eye-catching design, and at its highest setting, it easily out blasts JisuLife’s even with the Life10 S set to full power. But even at its lowest setting, the HushJet is loud with a high-pitched whine reminiscent of Dyson’s vacuums. I don’t mind that sound when it’s limited to short bursts of cleaning at ground level, but not when coming from a tiny fan designed to be used close to your face and ears. The JisuLife fan produces sound at a much lower frequency, making it easier to tolerate for hours, even if it’s far from whisper quiet at full power.

What impresses me more about the JisuLife fan is how long its 5,000mAh battery keeps it running. At half power, which we find is strong enough to cool us down on even the hottest days, the fan ran for just over 16 hours before needing a charge. That’s far longer than my son lasted at the water park. For comparison, Dyson estimates the HushJet Mini Cool will run for up to six hours at its lowest setting, and at full power, I had it die after just over an hour.

I haven’t tested the even pricier Shark ChillPill that combines a fan with a metal cooling plate the company claims can lower skin temperature by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit in seconds. You can cool down by pressing it all over your body, but it only cools for as long as the fan has power. SharkNinja estimates the ChillPill will run for up to 11 hours at its lowest setting, or just an hour-and-a-half at max power. That approach could be very effective, but I’m not spending $150 to find out.

I’ve also tested the wearable neck fans that seem to be very popular among the cashiers at my local Costco, but I didn’t find them to be as effective as I’d hoped. The breeze is spread out across the length of the fan and doesn’t feel as intense as a handheld fan, and wearing it positions the motor right below your ear at all times, so it’s a constant drone. I see why they’re useful, but it’s not an experience anyone in my family enjoyed.

After a successful summer with these fans, I’m already keeping an eye out for sales on other JisuLife models, including a hands-free version you wear hanging from your neck. But I’m also expecting these cheaper alternatives will continue to be the first thing we pack when heading out on adventures for the rest of the summer and probably for years to come.

Photography by Andrew Liszewski / The Verge

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
#dont #splurge #expensive #handheld #fan #beat #heatDeals,Gadgets,Hands-on,Reviews,Tech,Verge Shopping
Chinese tech giant Baidu has started testing autonomous vehicles in London as part of its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the German taxi and multi-mobility app that Lyft now owns. Baidu is the latest in a string of companies to test self-driving technology in the UK ahead of commercial robotaxi deployments.

The testing, which began Tuesday with human safety operators, comes nearly a year after the two companies struck a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu’s purpose-built Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi across key European markets through the Lyft platform. The vehicles will eventually be available through Freenow, which Lyft acquired in 2025 for about $197 million.

That deal gave Lyft a foothold in Europe’s ride-hailing market, where a handful of well-funded companies are now jockeying to be first to market with robotaxis.

London is particular is shaping up to be a key battleground in the region. In April, Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles with human safety operators in the city. Uber and its self-driving tech partner, Wayve, also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this year. That initial service — which customers can now sign up for on an interest list — will have human safety operators behind the wheel before fully driverless operations begin later.

Baidu and Freenow by Lyft (as the latter service is now called) said they expect to invite the public to hail their robotaxis in 2027. The companies, which didn’t provide a more detailed timeline, noted that the launch will depend on regulatory approval.

For now, dozens of test vehicles will operate within London’s borough of Brent. Lyft and Freenow said they continue discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The UK government is in the process of creating autonomous vehicle regulations and opened applications in May for companies interested in an AV pilot program that lets companies test self-driving vehicles under government oversight.

When the service does launch, Freenow by Lyft said it will operate a hybrid network — employing the same language rival Uber has used — meaning human drivers operating taxis and private-hire vehicles will work alongside the robotaxis.

“As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving,” Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, said in a statement.

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#Lyft #Baidu #enter #Londons #robotaxi #battleground #testing #begins #TechCrunchBaidu,Lyft,robotaxis">Lyft and Baidu enter London’s robotaxi battleground as testing begins | TechCrunch
Chinese tech giant Baidu has started testing autonomous vehicles in London as part of its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the German taxi and multi-mobility app that Lyft now owns. Baidu is the latest in a string of companies to test self-driving technology in the UK ahead of commercial robotaxi deployments.

The testing, which began Tuesday with human safety operators, comes nearly a year after the two companies struck a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu’s purpose-built Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi across key European markets through the Lyft platform. The vehicles will eventually be available through Freenow, which Lyft acquired in 2025 for about 7 million.







That deal gave Lyft a foothold in Europe’s ride-hailing market, where a handful of well-funded companies are now jockeying to be first to market with robotaxis.

London is particular is shaping up to be a key battleground in the region. In April, Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles with human safety operators in the city. Uber and its self-driving tech partner, Wayve, also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this year. That initial service — which customers can now sign up for on an interest list — will have human safety operators behind the wheel before fully driverless operations begin later.

Baidu and Freenow by Lyft (as the latter service is now called) said they expect to invite the public to hail their robotaxis in 2027. The companies, which didn’t provide a more detailed timeline, noted that the launch will depend on regulatory approval.

For now, dozens of test vehicles will operate within London’s borough of Brent. Lyft and Freenow said they continue discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The UK government is in the process of creating autonomous vehicle regulations and opened applications in May for companies interested in an AV pilot program that lets companies test self-driving vehicles under government oversight.

When the service does launch, Freenow by Lyft said it will operate a hybrid network — employing the same language rival Uber has used — meaning human drivers operating taxis and private-hire vehicles will work alongside the robotaxis.


“As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving,” Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, said in a statement. 
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#Lyft #Baidu #enter #Londons #robotaxi #battleground #testing #begins #TechCrunchBaidu,Lyft,robotaxis

acquired in 2025 for about $197 million.

That deal gave Lyft a foothold in Europe’s ride-hailing market, where a handful of well-funded companies are now jockeying to be first to market with robotaxis.

London is particular is shaping up to be a key battleground in the region. In April, Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles with human safety operators in the city. Uber and its self-driving tech partner, Wayve, also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this year. That initial service — which customers can now sign up for on an interest list — will have human safety operators behind the wheel before fully driverless operations begin later.

Baidu and Freenow by Lyft (as the latter service is now called) said they expect to invite the public to hail their robotaxis in 2027. The companies, which didn’t provide a more detailed timeline, noted that the launch will depend on regulatory approval.

For now, dozens of test vehicles will operate within London’s borough of Brent. Lyft and Freenow said they continue discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The UK government is in the process of creating autonomous vehicle regulations and opened applications in May for companies interested in an AV pilot program that lets companies test self-driving vehicles under government oversight.

When the service does launch, Freenow by Lyft said it will operate a hybrid network — employing the same language rival Uber has used — meaning human drivers operating taxis and private-hire vehicles will work alongside the robotaxis.

“As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving,” Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, said in a statement.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Lyft #Baidu #enter #Londons #robotaxi #battleground #testing #begins #TechCrunchBaidu,Lyft,robotaxis">Lyft and Baidu enter London’s robotaxi battleground as testing begins | TechCrunch

Chinese tech giant Baidu has started testing autonomous vehicles in London as part of its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the German taxi and multi-mobility app that Lyft now owns. Baidu is the latest in a string of companies to test self-driving technology in the UK ahead of commercial robotaxi deployments.

The testing, which began Tuesday with human safety operators, comes nearly a year after the two companies struck a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu’s purpose-built Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi across key European markets through the Lyft platform. The vehicles will eventually be available through Freenow, which Lyft acquired in 2025 for about $197 million.

That deal gave Lyft a foothold in Europe’s ride-hailing market, where a handful of well-funded companies are now jockeying to be first to market with robotaxis.

London is particular is shaping up to be a key battleground in the region. In April, Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles with human safety operators in the city. Uber and its self-driving tech partner, Wayve, also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this year. That initial service — which customers can now sign up for on an interest list — will have human safety operators behind the wheel before fully driverless operations begin later.

Baidu and Freenow by Lyft (as the latter service is now called) said they expect to invite the public to hail their robotaxis in 2027. The companies, which didn’t provide a more detailed timeline, noted that the launch will depend on regulatory approval.

For now, dozens of test vehicles will operate within London’s borough of Brent. Lyft and Freenow said they continue discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The UK government is in the process of creating autonomous vehicle regulations and opened applications in May for companies interested in an AV pilot program that lets companies test self-driving vehicles under government oversight.

When the service does launch, Freenow by Lyft said it will operate a hybrid network — employing the same language rival Uber has used — meaning human drivers operating taxis and private-hire vehicles will work alongside the robotaxis.

“As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving,” Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, said in a statement.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Lyft #Baidu #enter #Londons #robotaxi #battleground #testing #begins #TechCrunchBaidu,Lyft,robotaxis

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