inDrive, Pony.ai and Nvidia signed an agreement to explore robotaxi service on inDrive’s platform, with supervised tests planned in Astana in early 2027.
Ride-hailing company inDrive plans to begin testing Pony.ai robotaxis in Astana, Kazakhstan, during the first half of 2027, under a proposed partnership that also involves Nvidia. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding to explore bringing the vehicles to inDrive’s app; the agreement does not establish that a commercial service has launched.
The initial tests are expected to include a safety operator in each vehicle. Fully driverless rides are described as a longer-term goal, not part of the initial test phase. Pony.ai would supply its Gen-7 robotaxis, while inDrive would offer them through its ride-hailing platform and operate them in Kazakhstan.
Nvidia is set to contribute its Hyperion platform and Halos safety system. Nvidia’s automotive vice president Ali Kani told TechCrunch that Hyperion can provide a ready-made foundation of sensors and computing technology, potentially reducing the work involved in assembling a robotaxi system. The companies have not announced detailed service coverage, fares or a commercial launch date.
The planned tests come as Kazakhstan prepares for autonomous taxi trials in 2027 and has introduced rules allowing autonomous vehicles to be tested on certain public roads. Astana’s winter weather, including months of snow and ice, will put the driving systems in demanding conditions. inDrive CEO Arsen Tomsky said the location could provide an opportunity to evaluate performance in that environment.
The agreement is part of Pony.ai’s expansion beyond China. The company said it aimed to have more than 3,500 robotaxis operating in over 20 cities worldwide by the end of 2026; its fleet stood at 1,975 vehicles at the end of June, according to the report. inDrive has separately explored autonomous vehicles in Saudi Arabia, but the status of that earlier proposed pilot was unclear. The Kazakhstan plan remains exploratory, with testing expected to start in the first half of 2027.