GoKawiilinDrive, Pony.ai and Nvidia plan 2027 robotaxi trials in Astana, Kazakhstan
Ride-hailing app inDrive has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.ai and Nvidia to test robotaxis in Kazakhstan's capital Astana starting in the first half of 2027. Pony.ai would supply its Gen-7 vehicles through inDrive's app, with safety operators onboard initially before moving toward fully driverless rides, while Nvidia would provide its Hyperion and Halos AI and safety systems.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The partnership shows self-driving technology ambitions expanding into Central Asia, a region outside the usual U.S.-China robotaxi battleground. inDrive's CTO describes the strategy as 'capital-light,' suggesting the company wants to compete with Uber's robotaxi push without building its own autonomous vehicle technology from scratch.
- inDrive, Pony.ai and Nvidia signed an MOU to test robotaxis in Astana, Kazakhstan, by mid-2027
- Pony.ai's Gen-7 vehicles would run on inDrive's app with safety operators before full autonomy
- Uber is pursuing similar robotaxi partnerships with Pony.ai and Wayve in markets like London and the Middle East
Source: techcrunch.com — Jagmeet Singh, 2026-10-23
Published there as: “Uber rival inDrive eyes 2027 robotaxi tests in Central Asia with Pony.ai and Nvidia”
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