Robotaxi Trials Planned in Astana
Amul Info · · g1526273
Companies inDrive, Pony.ai and Nvidia plan to prepare for robotaxi trials in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, in 2027. Pony.ai will supply vehicles equipped with its autonomous driving system, inDrive will provide the ride-booking platform and operational support, while Nvidia will contribute…
International ride-hailing service inDrive and Chinese autonomous driving technology developer Pony.ai plan to test robotaxis in Kazakhstan in 2027. If the project is successful, the companies will explore the possibility of introducing the service in other cities and countries where inDrive operates. The company’s services are available in approximately 48 countries worldwide.
According to Kursiv Media, inDrive, Pony.ai and Nvidia have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on the project. Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, has been selected as the initial testing location.
The partners will assess the technical, legal and operational requirements for launching robotaxis and prepare a detailed action plan for implementing the project. The trial start date has not yet been determined. The service can only be launched after the relevant approval has been obtained from the Kazakh government. According to inDrive founder Arsen Tomsky, 2027 is the target year for moving the project forward.
Under the partnership, Pony.ai will provide vehicles equipped with its Gen-7 autonomous driving system. inDrive will supply the ride-booking platform and manage the organizational aspects of the service. Nvidia will provide technological support. The project is expected to use the Hyperion platform, designed to develop driver-assistance and autonomous driving systems, as well as Halos, a solution focused on the safety of artificial intelligence systems.
The robotaxis will operate without a driver behind the wheel on specially designated routes. One of the main challenges will be adapting the technology to Kazakhstan’s climate, particularly its long winters and heavy snowfall. Pony.ai intends to adapt its systems to operate under these conditions.
Founded in 2016, Pony.ai develops software for autonomous vehicles and works on self-driving taxi services. The company has been testing driverless taxis in Guangzhou, China, since 2018. By 2026, its operations had expanded to include Beijing and Shenzhen.
The company has also announced plans to introduce its services in countries including Qatar, Singapore, Croatia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. In 2025, Pony.ai’s robotaxi fleet exceeded 720 vehicles.
The planned project in Kazakhstan could create new opportunities for introducing autonomous vehicle technologies in Central Asia. Its results may also help determine how driverless vehicles can be operated in the region’s climate while meeting road safety requirements.