inDrive to Begin Robotaxi Testing in Kazakhstan in 2027

The transport platform inDrive, known for allowing users to negotiate fares with drivers, is taking a major step into the field of autonomous driving. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese firm Pony.ai and tech giant Nvidia, with the goal of launching robotaxis in test mode in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, in 2027. ## Technological Partnership Under the project, Pony.ai will provide its Gen-7 autonomous vehicles, while Nvidia will supply its artificial intelligence platform and safety systems. Specifically, the project will utilize Nvidia's Hyperion platform, which offers a pre-configured suite of sensors and computing power. This approach allows the companies to significantly reduce costs, which is particularly important in emerging markets where transport service pricing is already highly competitive. According to inDrive CTO Yuri Misnik, a safety operator will be present in the vehicles during the first phase of testing, though the ultimate goal is to provide fully driverless travel. ## Why Astana? The choice of Astana is not accidental. The city’s harsh climate, characterized by long winters, snow, and ice, provides an ideal environment for testing the durability of autonomous systems. Company founder and CEO Arsen Tomsky notes that the experience gained in Astana will be crucial for implementing the technology in other regions. Furthermore, the government of Kazakhstan has already developed regulations that permit the testing of driverless vehicles on public roads. ## Global Context This initiative by inDrive aligns with broader trends in the sector. Uber, a market leader, is also actively working on autonomous services in London and other cities. inDrive’s strategy is built around a "capital-light" model, which involves maximizing the use of partner expertise while developing its own infrastructure. The company, which currently operates in over 1,200 cities across 47 countries, is not limiting itself to Kazakhstan. It has already secured separate agreements in Saudi Arabia, signaling that inDrive is serious about strengthening its position in the global autonomous mobility market. For users, this means that significant changes in the transport sector are expected in the coming years, where artificial intelligence will define the safety and efficiency of travel.