Ride-hailing platform inDrive is looking to enter the robotaxi market without building its own self-driving technology. Companies in the sector are increasingly acting as platforms that connect riders with driverless cars built and run by others.
inDrive announced on October 23 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with autonomous driving firm Pony.ai and chipmaker Nvidia to explore driverless rides in Kazakhstan. The service would start in the capital Astana, subject to an agreement with the government.
Under the arrangement, Pony.ai will provide its seventh-generation (Gen-7) robotaxis, which are built for Level 4 autonomy. That means they can drive themselves without human intervention within a defined area. Nvidia will provide its Hyperion computing platform and Halos safety system, while inDrive will run the service through its app.
“Autonomous mobility has the potential to make transportation more affordable and accessible in the cities we serve,” said Arsen Tomsky, founder and CEO, inDrive, in a release.
“Bringing autonomous mobility to more communities requires AI built for the complexity of real-world driving, with safety at its foundation,” said Rishi Dhall, vice president of automotive, Nvidia.
Why Kazakhstan?
According to the companies, Kazakhstan was chosen because it has introduced its first structured legal framework for driverless transport.“Kazakhstan represents an exciting opportunity to bring autonomous mobility to a new market in Central Asia,” said James Peng, founder and CEO, Pony.ai. The company already runs fully driverless commercial robotaxis in major Chinese cities.
Astana, home to about 1.7 million people, also offers a test of harsh weather. “Astana is also the second-coldest capital in the world, with long winters, snow and ice. Launching here will provide an important opportunity to evaluate autonomous driving technology in challenging winter conditions,” Tomsky said.
The companies will first assess whether the service is technically, operationally and commercially viable and what approvals it needs. Only then will they consider other cities in Kazakhstan and other markets where inDrive operates. No launch date has been announced.
What does it mean for drivers?
inDrive operates in more than 1,200 cities across 47 countries, including India. It is known for letting riders and drivers agree on fares between themselves, so a move into driverless rides raises questions about the role of the drivers on whom such platforms have been built.
Tomsky said the company wants to understand, “carefully and responsibly”, how the technology could fit Kazakhstan’s roads and communities, “and what it could mean for riders and drivers across our markets.”
For now, the impact is limited, as the project is at an evaluation stage and depends on regulatory approval. But it shows how ride-hailing companies are preparing for a future in which part of their fleet may not need a driver.
Uber has taken a similar route. According to TechCrunch, it has partnered with more than 30 autonomous vehicle companies, and on October 8 it announced plans with Pony.ai to test Gen-7 robotaxis in London.
In these partnerships, technology firms build the self-driving systems, fleet operators own and manage the cars, and ride-hailing platforms bring in the customers.
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
