Ride-hailing firm inDrive, Pony.ai and Nvidia sign MOU to test robotaxis in Kazakhstan in 2027
inDrive, Pony.ai and Nvidia have signed a memorandum of understanding to begin testing robotaxis in Astana, Kazakhstan, in the first half of 2027.
Ride-hailing company inDrive, Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.ai, and US chipmaker Nvidia announced on Friday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to test robotaxis in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. According to inDrive CTO Yuri Misnik, testing will begin in the first half of 2027, initially with a safety operator on board, with fully driverless rides as the eventual goal.
Under the proposed plan, Pony.ai will provide its Gen-7 robotaxis, which inDrive will offer through its ride-hailing app. Nvidia will supply the underlying AI technology, including its Hyperion platform and Halos safety system. Ali Kani, Nvidia’s vice president of automotive, stated that the Hyperion platform could lower development costs by providing a ready-made foundation of sensors and computing, a factor he noted is particularly relevant in emerging markets where cost competition is key.
The choice of Astana is partly driven by its harsh winters. The city, home to around 1.7 million people, faces months of snow and ice, offering a challenging environment for autonomous systems. Arsen Tomsky, founder and CEO of inDrive, said that success in Astana could provide valuable insights for expanding autonomous mobility to other locations facing similar conditions. Kazakhstan has previously announced plans to launch autonomous taxi services in 2027 and has introduced rules for testing on public roads.
This move aligns with broader industry trends as ride-hailing giants expand into robotaxis. Earlier this month, Uber announced plans to test Pony.ai’s robotaxis in London. inDrive describes its approach as “capital-light,” partnering with various firms in different markets to combine expertise rather than bearing the full burden of R&D and operations alone.