Ride-hailing company inDrive plans to test robotaxis in Kazakhstan with Pony.ai and Nvidia, as companies explore autonomous services beyond the United States and China. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding to explore bringing Pony.ai’s robotaxis to inDrive’s platform.
Testing is expected to begin in Astana in the first half of 2027, inDrive CTO Yuri Misnik told TechCrunch. Tests would initially include a safety operator, with fully driverless rides as the eventual goal. Under the proposed plan, Pony.ai would provide its Gen-7 robotaxis, which inDrive would offer through its app and operate in Kazakhstan. Nvidia would supply AI technology, including its Hyperion platform and Halos safety system.
Nvidia says Hyperion could reduce robotaxi development costs by providing sensors and computing technology as a ready-made foundation. Its automotive vice president, Ali Kani, told TechCrunch that cost savings are particularly relevant in emerging markets, where autonomous services need to compete on price.
Pony.ai aims to have more than 3,500 robotaxis operating in over 20 cities worldwide by the end of 2026, compared with 1,975 vehicles at the end of June. Kazakhstan has also announced plans for autonomous taxi services in 2027, with initial trials planned in Astana and two other cities. inDrive operates in more than 1,200 cities across 47 countries.
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