Ride-hailing company inDrive is set to begin testing robotaxis in Kazakhstan in 2027, collaborating with Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.ai and Nvidia. The announcement was made on Friday, revealing a memorandum of understanding aimed at integrating Pony.ai’s robotaxis into inDrive’s platform, highlighting the growing interest in self-driving technology beyond the U.S. and China.

Testing Timeline

Testing is scheduled to commence in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, during the first half of 2027. Initially, the tests will include a safety operator, with the ultimate goal of achieving fully driverless rides. Under the proposed plan, Pony.ai will supply its Gen-7 robotaxis, which inDrive will offer through its ride-hailing app.

Role of Nvidia

Nvidia will provide the necessary AI technology, including its Hyperion platform and Halos safety system. This collaboration comes as ride-hailing companies are increasingly venturing into the robotaxi space. Earlier this month, Uber announced plans to test Pony.ai’s robotaxis in London, where it has also initiated supervised autonomous rides with British startup Wayve.

Strategic Approach

inDrive, which has built its business model around affordable rides, aims to apply a similar focus to autonomous ride-hailing as it navigates a competitive market where Uber and other rivals are already active. Yuri Misnik, inDrive’s CTO, stated,

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"Our approach is capital-light by design. We work with a range of partners in different markets, combining their expertise with ours to deliver a better customer experience."