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China's Baidu tests driverless taxis on London streets The company aims to launch a commercial self-driving taxi service in London by next year Riyadh - Al Arabiya Business Published: October 23, 2026: 07:20 PM GST Last updated: October 23, 2026: 07:45 PM GST Listen to the article. The audio narration is automatically generated by an automated system. London, the British capital, witnessed a test of a self-driving taxi, model RT6, in cooperation between Free Now, the US-based unit of Lyft, and Apollo Go of China's Baidu, the manufacturer of the new car. The two companies said they hope to launch a driverless taxi service in the city by next year. The two companies began testing the new cars on London streets with backup drivers during the summer months, and they hope to provide fully driverless cars in the city with the aim of launching the service on a commercial scale next year, according to Reuters. The partnership between Lyft, which specializes in ride-hailing services and is based in San Francisco, and Baidu in London comes at a time when the US Senate is working to pass a permanent ban on Chinese cars in the United States, pushing more companies to focus on Europe. Competition is intensifying among developers of self-driving taxis in London. The British self-driving car startup Wayve and Uber, a competitor of Lyft, launched a self-driving taxi service in London in September, initially with a human safety driver behind the wheel. The US self-driving taxi company Waymo, a unit of Alphabet, the owner of Google, also aims to launch a fully driverless passenger transport service in London by the end of this year.

Lyft launches quick phone return service, get your device back in hours. In an age where our smartphones have transformed into extensions of ourselves, the panic that ensues after leaving your phone behind in a rideshare vehicle is all too real. Lyft is rolling out an innovative feature to help users recover lost phones quickly and efficiently - a timely upgrade that small business owners will find particularly beneficial as it offers a lifeline for those who rely heavily on their devices for both personal and professional tasks. Lyft has introduced a return phone ride feature designed specifically to assist riders in retrieving phones they inadvertently leave behind. With this service, returning a lost phone typically takes just a couple of hours, drastically reducing recovery time that previously could stretch to several hours - even up to a day. This process is straightforward and user-friendly. Should you find your phone missing after exiting your Lyft ride, you can request a return ride from the Lyft Help center using another device, such as a friend's phone or a laptop. After entering your location and the desired time for the pick-up, your assigned driver will deliver your phone directly to you, eliminating any need for time-consuming back-and-forth communications. Discover more Business funding resources Small business courses Office product deals "Because everything happens in the Lyft Help center, there's no swapping phone numbers with your driver or going back and forth over meetup times," Lyft emphasizes. This streamlined approach is particularly appealing to business owners who prioritize efficiency in their operations. The statistics speak volumes: approximately 80% of riders receive their phones the same day they were lost, and nearly half are returned in less than two hours after the feature's launch. This is a marked improvement compared to the previous average recovery times. As many entrepreneurs and small business owners can attest, a day without access to mobile contacts, emails, and crucial business information can lead to lost opportunities and revenue. In addition to phones, Lyft is looking to expand this service to include other misplaced personal items, such as jackets, wallets, and laptops, by the end of winter 2026. This enhancement signals a commitment to developing a comprehensive support system for riders, which could serve as invaluable assistance for businesses where time is money. However, despite the evident advantages, small business owners should consider potential challenges associated with relying on this new feature. Firstly, while the service is free for Lyft Pink members, non-members will incur ride costs that vary based on distance, traffic, and demand at the time of the return. This variability might raise some cost concerns for businesses operating on tight budgets. Additionally, while the service suggests that drivers will operate efficiently to return lost items promptly, delays could occur due to logistical challenges such as traffic or driver availability. If a business relies heavily on instant access to an operational phone, this could create disruption. Discover more Business startup guide Small business ideas Buy a business Looking ahead, Lyft has teased plans for a lost item detection system. This would notify users if they forgot an item in a vehicle, potentially before they even realize it. Such advancements could further reduce the stress of lost items and strengthen Lyft's utility for small businesses. Overall, Lyft's new return phone ride feature is set to redefine how small business owners manage their mobility and connectivity, ensuring that they experience minimal disruption even when mishaps occur. In a world where losing a phone can feel like losing touch with reality, this initiative by Lyft showcases how technology can bridge gaps and enhance everyday experiences for both individuals and businesses alike. For more details, visit the Lyft Help Center here. Image via Google Gemini

Lyft to rebrand TBR Global as Alcove in 2027, creating major Blacklane rival. By Mark Bursa | 19 October 2026, 22:05 Ride-hailing giant Lyft has announced plans to rebrand its recently acquired chauffeur operation TBR Global Chauffeuring as Alcove. Alcove will be US-based Lyft's dedicated brand for global chauffeuring services, and will compete directly with Blacklane, which was recently acquired by Lyft's main global rival, Uber. The name change will happen in early 2027, the company said in a statement. Alcove will combine TBR Global Chauffeuring's service expertise and global network with new technology to modernise global corporate ground transportation Lyft's statement said: "Alcove will combine high-touch service and a world-class passenger experience with greater visibility and control across global corporate travel programmes." Business customers will be able to access Alcove in early 2027 through a new portal and through current TBR channels, followed by a new mobile app later in the spring. In addition to current TBR Global Chauffeuring customers, Alcove will serve new corporate travel programs, bookers, and passengers around the world, which is expected to bring incremental gross bookings and strong margins to Lyft. Building on TBR's three decades of expertise, Alcove will support complex and high-profile trips, including VIP travel, events, and journeys involving multiple vehicles or extended bookings. Initially the new Alcove portal will be open to managed business account customers, with self-service access and a mobile app to follow later in the spring. Additionally, Alcove will continue to support customers through experienced service teams and other channels, including direct corporate and travel management company (TMC) relationships. Alcove marks another step in Lyft's expansion beyond on-demand rideshare, extending the company's reach into a global chauffeur market worth tens of billions of dollars. While Alcove will be a separate brand, Lyft Business customers will also be able to access its services. "Lyft is moving up and out, creating customer-obsessed products up and down the value chain and in more places around the world. Alcove supercharges that strategy," said Lyft CEO David Risher. "Great chauffeurs go above and beyond, and with Alcove, we are excited for more people to experience the highest levels of service. Like the bridge instead of the tunnel? Prefer 72 degrees? Want the rear window open just a bit? That's what Alcove will offer." Global Business Travel Association research highlights the challenges of managing global corporate travel programs: 61% of travel buyers say managing travel across regions is challenging, while only 12% have a consolidated view of their program from a single data source. Alcove aims to give program managers greater visibility and control, bookers confidence that trips can be reliably managed, and passengers a premium experience built around their needs. Alcove brings together TBR's established service network across six continents and Lyft's experience in executing one billion rides a year. Since Lyft acquired TBR, the business has grown rapidly, recording its best-ever quarter in Q2 2026. Posted in News