Uber rival inDrive eyes 2027 robotaxi tests in Central Asia with Pony.ai and Nvidia

Robotaxi testing is expanding to new international markets with unique environmental challenges.

Ride-hailing company inDrive plans to test robotaxis in Kazakhstan starting in 2027, in partnership with autonomous driving firm Pony.ai and AI technology provider Nvidia. The collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, aims to bring Pony.ai's Gen-7 robotaxis to inDrive's platform in Astana, the Kazakh capital. Initial tests will include a safety operator, with the goal of eventually offering fully driverless rides. Nvidia will supply AI technology, including its Hyperion platform, while Pony.ai will provide the vehicles. This initiative expands autonomous driving technology testing beyond the US and China, with Kazakhstan's challenging winter conditions cited as a key factor for evaluating system robustness. The move aligns with Kazakhstan's own plans to launch autonomous taxi services in 2027 and inDrive's strategy to offer affordable autonomous ride-hailing.

The partnership between inDrive, Pony.ai, and Nvidia signifies a global expansion of robotaxi technology, moving beyond established markets like the US and China into Central Asia. By selecting Kazakhstan, specifically Astana, for 2027 testing, the companies aim to validate autonomous systems under harsh winter conditions, which could provide critical data for future deployments in similar climates. This strategic move by inDrive, a company known for its price-negotiation model, suggests an intention to make autonomous ride-hailing accessible and cost-effective even in emerging markets.

Nvidia's role in providing its Hyperion platform and Alpamayo model highlights the increasing reliance on standardized AI infrastructure to accelerate robotaxi development and reduce costs. For Pony.ai, this represents a significant step in its global fleet expansion strategy, leveraging inDrive's extensive network to gain a foothold in new territories. The success of this pilot program in Kazakhstan could pave the way for wider adoption of autonomous services in regions with less developed regulatory frameworks but substantial growth potential in transportation.