inDrive plans 2027 robotaxi trials in Central Asia with Pony.ai and Nvidia
nvidia
| Source: TechCrunch | Original article
Ride‑hailing platform inDrive will start testing Pony.ai’s robotaxis in Kazakhstan’s capital in early 2027, partnering with Nvidia for the trials.
inDrive has announced plans to start testing Pony.ai’s robotaxi fleet in the capital of Kazakhstan during the first half of 2027, with Nvidia supplying the underlying AI hardware. The move marks the first known autonomous‑vehicle trial by a major ride‑hailing platform in Central Asia and extends Pony.ai’s footprint beyond its existing Asian markets.
The partnership matters for several reasons. It demonstrates that autonomous‑driving firms are seeking growth outside the traditional North American and East Asian hubs, tapping new regulatory environments and untapped passenger demand. Nvidia’s involvement underscores the continuing reliance on high‑performance GPUs to run the complex perception and decision‑making models required for driverless operation. For inDrive, the test could provide a template for integrating robotaxis into its broader on‑demand network, potentially reshaping mobility options in a region where public transport infrastructure varies widely.
Observers will watch how Kazakh authorities grant operational permits and what safety data emerge from the early trials. Success could accelerate further deployments across the former Soviet space, while any setbacks may prompt stricter oversight. The next milestone will be the formal launch of the pilot, followed by any announcements on scaling the service beyond the capital.
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