inDrive CTO Targets First-Half 2027 Robotaxi Tests in Kazakhstan

Ride-hailing company inDrive is targeting the first half of 2027 for robotaxi tests in Astana, adding a timetable to a proposed service that remains subject to an agreement with Kazakhstan’s government.

inDrive CTO Yuri Misnik gave the testing target. The Oct. 23 memorandum of understanding among inDrive, Pony.ai and NVIDIA does not set a test date.

The agreement calls for an evaluation of whether Level 4-ready vehicles could be offered through the app, including a review of technical, operational, regulatory and commercial factors. Astana is the first city under consideration. Pony.ai would supply Gen-7 robotaxis, inDrive would provide the platform and operate the service, and NVIDIA would provide AI infrastructure.

The memorandum describes a potential service, with any launch contingent on an agreement with Kazakhstan’s government.

Kazakhstan approved a three-year framework for autonomous-vehicle testing on Aug. 4. It covers Astana, Almaty and Kosshi, and allows highly automated vehicles to operate without an onboard driver under remote supervision.