Prototype Driverless Taxi Unveiled in Astana

As part of the Nauryz celebrations in Astana, a demonstration run of a driverless vehicle developed at the Daulet Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) was held. In the future, this prototype could become part of the city’s driverless taxi system. The presentation took the form of a public demonstration for residents and visitors to Kazakhstan’s capital. According to the Astana City Administration, the vehicle’s software and test route were developed by specialists from the Luban Workshop, which opened at EKTU in Ust-Kamenogorsk in late 2023 with support from China’s Tianjin Vocational Institute. The project is being implemented as part of an initiative to develop engineering competencies and introduce new technologies, ranging from alternative fuels to AI systems in the transport sector. At the same time, an agreement was signed to establish the Kazakhstan Engineering Center for the Application and Development of Intelligent Automotive Technologies. The demonstration run was organised by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in collaboration with the capital’s city administration and the IT company Astana Innovations. The test took place at one of the city’s festive venues. Visitors were able to observe the autonomous vehicle in real time and assess its potential for use in an urban environment. According to the organisers, the prototype demonstrated the potential for integrating AI technologies into Smart City systems, including navigation, data processing, and interaction with infrastructure. Authorities view driverless transport as one of the key areas in the development of urban mobility. In the future, such solutions may be integrated into Astana’s infrastructure, including the launch of autonomous taxis. It was previously reported that Kazakhstan plans to launch pilot projects for driverless taxis in the capital as early as 2026. At the same time, work is under way to prepare road infrastructure. Digital “passports” for highways are being developed, which are expected to enable the future use of driverless trucks.

Kazakhstan Prepares Road Infrastructure for Driverless Transport

Kazakhstan is developing a system of digital passports for its inter-city highways as part of broader efforts to prepare the country’s infrastructure for the eventual integration of autonomous vehicles. The initiative was announced by Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev during a recent government meeting. “Digital road passports are being developed, which will allow for the introduction of driverless cars in the future,” Sauranbayev said. “Road diagnostics are carried out annually using artificial intelligence technologies. In particular, the installation of automated measuring stations is continuing, up to 220 units, to preserve the road surface. To date, 71 units of such equipment have been put into operation.” Sauranbayev highlighted a related pilot project, “Smart Customs,” launched this summer at the Kazakhstan-China border crossing between Bakhty (Kazakhstan) and Pokitu (China). The initiative enables cargo to cross the border in unmanned trucks, a move expected to increase cargo throughput and speed up customs procedures. According to Sauranbayev, digital tools are expected to increase road capacity by 20% and reduce border crossing times to around 10 minutes. Speaking at a later briefing, Sauranbayev clarified that the driverless truck pilot, currently limited to select border crossings, is intended to be expanded across Kazakhstan’s entire external border by 2027. This includes crossings with EAEU member states such as Russia and Kyrgyzstan. “We have such a program. I think it will be very significant for Kazakhstan’s transit potential,” he said. Sauranbayev added that the use of unmanned trucks will help reduce logistics costs, as autonomous vehicles can operate continuously, potentially tripling delivery speeds. “Driverless taxis are already in use globally, and the transition to autonomous freight transport is only a matter of time,” he noted. “That is why, when we build roads, we are already integrating the necessary sensors to allow driverless vehicles to travel freely across Kazakhstan.” Simultaneously, the government is upgrading internal border checkpoints. Work on 37 facilities is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. So far this year, 13,000 kilometers of road have undergone construction or repairs, part of a national network that spans approximately 95,000 kilometers. To alleviate pressure on the state budget, Kazakhstan is expanding its toll road network. The KazToll system has collected $156.5 million to date. The Ministry of Transport reported a 20.7% year-on-year increase in transport services in the first ten months of 2025. Road transport accounted for 288 million tons of cargo, up 1.7% from the same period last year. Transit traffic rose 5% to 29.4 million tons. Currently, transport companies from 42 countries operate transit routes through Kazakhstan. “Automated load measurement stations on highways have increased both the detection of violations and budget revenues tenfold,” Sauranbayev added. “As a result of integration with the General Prosecutor’s Office, more than 10,000 fine payment orders were issued in the first five months of this year.” In 2024, Kazakhstan launched two major infrastructure projects: the Trans-Kazakhstan railway corridor and the Center-West highway, which will connect Astana to the country’s western regions.