InDrive, Pony.ai, and NVIDIA have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a robotaxi pilot in Astana, Kazakhstan. The companies aim to test the technical and commercial feasibility of integrating autonomous vehicles into the inDrive platform. The pilot is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027, initially requiring a safety operator in the vehicle.
The project will utilize Pony.ai's Gen-7 robotaxi hardware, which features redundant sensor systems. NVIDIA will provide its Hyperion platform for computing and sensor integration, alongside the Halos safety framework. These technologies are designed to support Level 4 autonomous driving, where the vehicle manages all driving tasks within a defined operational design domain.
A key objective of the Astana pilot is to evaluate autonomous performance in harsh winter conditions. InDrive CEO Arsen Tomsky noted that testing in a cold climate provides valuable data for potential expansion to other regions. The partners will assess the service based on safety metrics, operational regularity, and the overall economics of maintaining an autonomous fleet.
This initiative follows inDrive's broader strategy of partnering with various autonomous technology developers. Previously, in December 2025, the company announced a similar memorandum with AI Driver in Saudi Arabia to explore pilot projects in Riyadh and Jeddah using WeRide technology. These collaborations allow inDrive to adapt its service model to specific local market requirements.
