AsianFin -- Chinese tech giant Baidu is preparing to enter the European autonomous driving market, starting with Switzerland, with full-scale operations expected as early as next year, local media reported.

Yong Gessner, head of Baidu’s Intelligent Driving Group Europe, told Neue Zürcher Zeitung that the company will set up an office in Zurich to oversee its European autonomous vehicle (AV) business.

Gessner noted that while Zurich will serve as the company’s operational base, Baidu is particularly interested in exploring opportunities in Switzerland’s peripheral regions. “Our goal is to complement existing mobility services. Baidu Autonomous Driving does not want to operate in areas where services already exist,” he said.

The specifics of the service will depend on local partnerships and demand. Baidu aims to collaborate with an influential mobility provider in Switzerland. Reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest that Swiss PostBus could be a potential partner. Gessner declined to confirm any names, stating, “We cannot disclose names at this stage,” while noting ongoing discussions with multiple prospective partners.

The timing of Baidu’s service launch will also depend on partner arrangements, Gessner said. The company plans to begin autonomous taxi operations in Switzerland and broader Europe starting next year. During the initial phase, all vehicles will be staffed with safety drivers to ensure operational security.