Uber Rival inDrive to Test Robotaxis in Kazakhstan by 2027

inDrive, a ride-hailing company that lets passengers negotiate fares, announced a partnership with Chinese self-driving firm Pony.ai and tech giant Nvidia to bring robotaxis to Kazakhstan. Testing is set to begin in the capital, Astana, in the first half of 2027, starting with a safety operator behind the wheel. The goal is to eventually offer fully driverless rides through inDrive's app.

This matters because it shows self-driving cars are expanding beyond the U.S. and China into new markets. For everyday riders, robotaxis could mean cheaper fares and more reliable service, especially in places where ride-hailing is already affordable. inDrive's approach is 'capital-light'—they partner with experts rather than building everything themselves, which could speed up deployment and lower costs.

Nvidia provides the AI brain and sensors through its Hyperion platform, which the company says can lower development costs. Pony.ai supplies the robotaxis, which are already operating in China and expanding globally. Kazakhstan aims to launch autonomous taxi services in 2027, and Astana's harsh winters will be a tough test for the technology. Success there could prove robotaxis can handle snow and ice, opening doors to other cold-weather cities.

However, there are catches: regulations, safety concerns, and public trust. The tests will initially have a safety driver, and full autonomy is still years away. inDrive is also exploring robotaxis in Saudi Arabia with other partners. If successful, this could reshape how we hail rides, but don't expect to see driverless taxis in your city tomorrow.