Ride-hailing company inDrive plans to test robotaxis with Pony.ai and NVIDIA in Astana, Kazakhstan, during the first half of 2027. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding to explore autonomous rides through inDrive’s app, expanding self-driving technology into Central Asia. Initial trials will include a safety operator, with fully driverless rides remaining a longer-term goal.
Under the proposed partnership, Pony.ai will supply its Gen-7 robotaxis, while inDrive manages the platform and local operations. NVIDIA will provide its Hyperion autonomous vehicle platform and Halos safety system to support the project. The partners must assess technical, commercial and regulatory requirements before moving toward a wider rollout.
Astana’s Winter Weather Creates a Major Test
Astana offers a demanding environment for autonomous driving, with months of snow, ice and freezing temperatures. These conditions could help the companies assess how robotaxis handle difficult roads beyond more established testing markets.
inDrive founder and CEO Arsen Tomsky said, “Launching here will provide an important opportunity to evaluate autonomous driving technology in challenging winter conditions.” He added that success could guide expansion into other locations with similar weather challenges.
NVIDIA says its Hyperion platform can reduce development costs by providing a ready-made foundation for sensors and computing systems. The approach could matter in emerging markets, where ride-hailing fares remain relatively affordable and autonomous services must compete on price.
Robotaxi Competition Expands Beyond China
The partnership adds to Pony.ai’s international expansion as ride-hailing companies explore autonomous fleets in more markets. Uber recently announced plans to test Pony.ai robotaxis in London, highlighting growing competition around self-driving transportation.
Kazakhstan has also outlined plans for autonomous taxi services in 2027 and introduced rules for testing vehicles on designated public roads. Government approval and a suitable regulatory framework remain important steps before the proposed inDrive service can proceed.
inDrive operates in more than 1,200 cities across 47 countries and has explored autonomous vehicle partnerships beyond Kazakhstan. The company’s separate agreement involving Saudi Arabia also points to broader ambitions for driverless transport.
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