Chinese autonomous-driving company Pony AI is teaming up with ride-hailing platform inDrive and Nvidia to explore robotaxi services in Kazakhstan, marking Pony AI’s first move into Central Asia. The three companies have signed a memorandum of understanding, with Kazakhstan selected as the initial market and Astana as the planned first location.
Pony AI will supply its seventh-generation robotaxis and Level 4 autonomous-driving technology. inDrive will manage platform operations and service delivery, while Nvidia will contribute support through its Hyperion autonomous-driving computing platform and Halos safety system. The partners will assess the technical, operational, regulatory and commercial viability of offering driverless rides through the inDrive app. They plan to begin the Astana pilot once they reach an agreement with the Kazakh government.
The companies may consider expanding to other Kazakh cities and to additional countries where inDrive operates. Pony AI cited Kazakhstan’s developing regulatory framework for driverless mobility as a reason for choosing the market. Astana, home to about 1.7 million people, also presents a demanding winter environment, with prolonged periods of snow and ice that will test the technology.
The deal fits Pony AI’s strategy of expanding overseas through local mobility partners. Its Gen-7 robotaxis are already in driverless commercial service in multiple Chinese cities, with deployments also underway in overseas markets. The company had a fleet of 1,975 robotaxis on June 30 and is targeting more than 3,500 by the end of 2026.