inDrive Partners with Pony.AI and Nvidia for 2027 Robotaxi Tests in Kazakhstan

Capital-light model targets emerging markets; Astana winter conditions to provide autonomous driving challenge

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Updated23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

Ride-hailing company inDrive has announced a partnership with Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.AI and Nvidia to begin robotaxi testing in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, in the first half of 2027. The agreement signals an expansion of autonomous ride-hailing into Central Asia and a test for deploying the technology in extreme winter climates.

inDrive, the ride-hailing company known for enabling fare bidding between passengers and drivers, is collaborating with Pony.ai and Nvidia to launch autonomous taxi services in Kazakhstan. The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday to explore integrating Pony.ai's seventh-generation robotaxis into the inDrive platform.

Testing is scheduled to begin in Astana in the first half of 2027. inDrive CTO Yuri Misnik confirmed to TechCrunch that the initial phase will involve a safety operator, with fully driverless rides as the target. Nvidia will supply its Hyperion AI computing platform and Halos safety system to power the vehicles. Ali Kani, Nvidia's vice president of automotive, said the platform's modular design is intended to lower development costs.

"Those savings are particularly relevant in emerging markets, where ride-hailing is already relatively affordable and autonomous services need to compete on cost," Kani said.

Misnik described inDrive's overall strategy as capital-light. "We work with a range of partners in different markets, combining their expertise with ours to deliver a better customer experience," he said.

inDrive founder and CEO Arsen Tomsky emphasised the significance of Astana as a testing ground. The city, with a population of around 1.7 million, faces months of snow and ice each year. "Success in Astana could offer valuable insights for expanding autonomous mobility to other locations facing similar challenges," Tomsky said.

Kazakhstan last month announced its own plans to launch autonomous taxi services from 2027 and has introduced regulations allowing testing on designated public roads. Pony.ai, which is targeting a global fleet of over 3,500 robotaxis across more than 20 cities by the end of 2026, is also testing with Uber in London and other markets. inDrive itself has a separate agreement to pilot autonomous vehicles in Saudi Arabia using technology from WeRide and AI Driver. inDrive operates across more than 1,200 cities in 47 countries.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The partnership brings robotaxi development to a new geographic frontier, testing the technology in Central Asia and harsh winter conditions that go beyond typical US and China trials.
inDrive's capital-light, multi-partner model represents a different approach to autonomous ride-hailing that could accelerate deployment in price-sensitive emerging markets if successful.

Background

Ride-hailing companies globally are racing to integrate autonomous vehicles. Uber has been testing with Wayve in London and partnering with Pony.ai in other regions. inDrive, historically operating on a bidding model where passengers suggest a fare and drivers accept, is now looking to leverage partner technology to enter the robotaxi space without investing in vehicle hardware. Pony.ai is one of China's leading autonomous driving companies and has been aggressively expanding its global footprint. Nvidia provides the underlying AI compute platform and has been positioning itself as a key supplier to the autonomous vehicle industry.

Key Perspectives

[inDrive]: Sees robotaxis as a natural extension of its affordable ride-hailing business, using partnerships to compete with rivals without heavy capital expenditure. The company is actively seeking markets with supportive regulatory environments. [Nvidia]: Positions its Hyperion and Halos systems as a foundational platform that reduces the complexity and cost of robotaxi development, enabling more players to enter the market. [Critics and safety analysts]: The choice of Kazakhstan for initial testing raises questions about safety standards in a market where autonomous vehicle regulations are newly established. Extreme weather conditions could introduce unpredictable scenarios that require rigorous validation.

What to Watch

Performance of Pony.ai's robotaxis during Astana's winter testing phase.
Whether inDrive activates its Saudi Arabia pilot with WeRide before the Kazakhstan tests.
How Kazakhstan's regulatory framework evolves for fully driverless operations.

Sources

Uber rival inDrive eyes 2027 robotaxi tests in Central Asia with Pony.ai and Nvidia · TechCrunch
Uber rival inDrive eyes 2027 robotaxi tests in Central Asia with Pony.ai and Nvidia · AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedinDrive has partnered with Pony.ai and Nvidia to begin robotaxi tests in Kazakhstan in 2027.TechCrunch: “The companies said Friday that they had signed a memorandum of understanding to explore bringing Pony.ai’s robotaxis to inDrive’s platform”
Partly supportedThe capital-light model targets emerging markets.TechCrunch: ““Our approach is capital-light by design,” said Misnik.”
SupportedThe MoU explores integrating Pony.ai’s seventh-generation robotaxis into inDrive’s platform.TechCrunch: “The companies said Friday that they had signed a memorandum of understanding to explore bringing Pony.ai’s robotaxis to inDrive’s platform”
SupportedThe initial testing phase will use a safety operator, with fully driverless rides as the eventual goal.TechCrunch: “The tests will initially involve a safety operator, with fully driverless rides as the eventual goal.”
Partly supportedNvidia will supply Hyperion and Halos to power the vehicles.TechCrunch: “Nvidia, on the other hand, would supply the AI technology, including its Hyperion platform and Halos safety system.”
Partly supportedHyperion’s modular design is intended to lower development costs.TechCrunch: “Nvidia says its Hyperion platform could lower the cost of developing robotaxis by giving companies a ready-made foundation of sensors and computing technology, rather than requiring them to build and integrate everything themselves.”
SupportedAli Kani said, “Those savings are particularly relevant in emerging markets, where ride-hailing is already relatively affordable and autonomous services need to compete on cost.”TechCrunch: ““Those savings are particularly relevant in emerging markets, where ride-hailing is already relatively affordable and autonomous services need to compete on cost,” Ali Kani, Nvidia’s vice president of automotive, told TechCrunch.”
SupportedMisnik said, “We work with a range of partners in different markets, combining their expertise with ours to deliver a better customer experience.”TechCrunch: ““We work with a range of partners in different markets, combining their expertise with ours to deliver a better customer experience.””
SupportedTomsky said, “Success in Astana could offer valuable insights for expanding autonomous mobility to other locations facing similar challenges.”TechCrunch: ““Success in Astana could offer valuable insights for expanding autonomous mobility to other locations facing similar challenges.””
SupportedPony.ai aims to operate more than 3,500 robotaxis in over 20 cities worldwide by the end of 2026.TechCrunch: “The company aims to have more than 3,500 robotaxis operating in over 20 cities worldwide by the end of 2026”
Partly supportedPony.ai is testing with Uber in London and other markets.TechCrunch: “Earlier this month, Uber announced plans to test Pony.ai’s robotaxis in London”
Partly supportedinDrive has a separate agreement to pilot autonomous vehicles in Saudi Arabia using technology from WeRide and AI Driver.TechCrunch: “In December, the company signed a separate agreement with Saudi Arabia’s AI Driver to explore deploying autonomous vehicles powered by Chinese self-driving firm WeRide, starting with Riyadh. The companies had targeted a pilot in the first half of 2026”