Uber rival inDrive eyes 2027 robotaxi tests in Central Asia with Pony.ai and Nvidia
techcrunch ·
Ride-hailing company inDrive has announced a partnership with Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.ai and Nvidia to begin testing robotaxis in Kazakhstan starting in the first half of 2027. The collaboration involves using Pony.ai’s Gen-7 vehicles, which will be integrated into the inDrive platform, while Nvidia provides its Hyperion AI infrastructure and Halos safety system. Initial tests in Astana will include a safety operator, with the ultimate goal of achieving fully driverless operations. This move aligns with Kazakhstan's national plan to launch autonomous taxi services in 2027, leveraging the city's harsh winter conditions as a rigorous testing ground for autonomous technology. inDrive emphasizes a capital-light approach by partnering with various firms to deliver affordable autonomous rides in emerging markets. Additionally, inDrive is exploring similar deployments in other regions, including a separate agreement with Saudi Arabia’s AI Driver to test WeRide-powered vehicles in Riyadh.
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