The driverless taxi project is set to kick off in Astana in 2026. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the Ministry of Transport, the city governor’s office, and the company inDrive have signed a relevant memorandum.
At the first stage, the parties plan to launch a testing ground and a so-called regulatory sandbox to address legislative issues and assess the readiness of the city’s infrastructure. The initial phase is scheduled for early 2026.
The preliminary route will run from Astana International Airport to Abu Dhabi Plaza and will be served by vehicles already in use in major cities around the world. Trips will only be carried out following a risk assessment and under the supervision of the operator and manufacturer.
Calling robotaxi will be available through the inDrive app. The company will also arrange a dedicated passenger pickup zone at the airport.
A full-scale launch will only be possible after successful trial results and the establishment of the required regulatory conditions, the company said.
Separately, a drone delivery service is set to be tested in Almaty.
