inDrive announced a memorandum of understanding with Chinese self-driving startup Pony.ai and chipmaker Nvidia to launch robotaxi testing in Kazakhstan. The trials are scheduled to begin in the capital, Astana, during the first half of 2027. Early runs will include a safety operator on board, with the long-term objective of offering completely driverless rides through the inDrive app.
Under the agreement, Pony.ai will supply its seventh-generation autonomous cars, while Nvidia will provide the artificial-intelligence platform that powers them. Nvidia’s Hyperion suite, together with the Halos safety system, will handle perception and decision-making, and the company will also make its Alpamayo model and synthetic-data tools available for scenario testing.
inDrive’s chief technology officer emphasized that the company’s strategy relies on a capital-light model that leverages partner expertise rather than heavy internal investment. By integrating external hardware and software, inDrive hopes to expand autonomous services quickly, provided that local regulators support safe road testing and clear certification pathways.
Nvidia’s automotive vice president highlighted that the Hyperion platform can reduce development expenses by offering a pre-built sensor and compute foundation. Those cost savings are especially pertinent in emerging markets where ride-hailing already competes on price, and where autonomous services must remain affordable to attract users.
Kazakhstan has recently issued regulations permitting autonomous vehicle trials on public roads and set a target to roll out robotaxi services in 2027. The country plans initial pilots in Astana and two additional cities, and the harsh winter climate,characterized by snow and ice,will test the robustness of the technology. inDrive’s founder noted that success in such conditions could inform deployments in other cold-weather regions.
The partnership aligns with Pony.ai’s broader expansion plan, which aims to operate thousands of robotaxis across dozens of cities by the end of 2026. Similar collaborations are emerging worldwide; Uber, for example, is testing Pony.ai vehicles in London and working with other autonomous providers in the Middle East. inDrive also signed a separate deal with Saudi Arabia’s AI Driver to explore WeRide-powered vehicles in Riyadh, illustrating its focus on markets with supportive regulatory frameworks.