inDrive, Pony.ai, and Nvidia partner for Kazakhstan robotaxi tests

Ride-hailing platform inDrive, Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.ai, and Nvidia have signed a memorandum of understanding to test robotaxis in Astana, Kazakhstan, starting in the first half of 2027.

The partnership utilizes a specialized division of labor: Pony.ai will provide its seventh-generation autonomous vehicles, inDrive will integrate the service into its existing app and manage local operations, and Nvidia will supply the underlying AI infrastructure, including the Hyperion platform and Halos safety system.

Astana was selected as the pilot location to test the technology under challenging winter conditions, such as snow and ice, which present greater difficulties for autonomous sensors than warmer climates. Initial testing phases will include safety operators in the vehicles, with the long-term goal of providing fully driverless rides. The project follows Kazakhstan's recent establishment of a legal framework for testing autonomous vehicles on public roads.