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Driverless Taxis

Kazakhstan Prepares to Launch Driverless Taxi Service in 2026

Kazakhstan plans to launch a pilot project for driverless taxis in the second half of 2026, accelerating the country’s push toward autonomous transport technologies and the digitalization of urban mobility. Preparations for the project were announced by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. According to the ministry, Yandex Qazaqstan and inDrive have already begun preparing the necessary infrastructure under government coordination. The project includes the construction of specialized garages, the import and configuration of autonomous vehicles, and the adaptation of software to Kazakhstan’s traffic regulations and local road conditions. “The project is being implemented through a ‘regulatory sandbox’ mechanism, which will allow technological solutions to be tested in controlled conditions and help form the necessary legislative framework,” the ministry said in a statement. Officials noted that Kazakhstan currently lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework governing autonomous transport, including standards related to safety, navigation, and traffic management. As a result, driverless vehicles will initially operate under continuous supervision by human operators, and the project will move forward only after testing is completed and infrastructure readiness is confirmed. Almaty is expected to become the primary city for the introduction of the service, although routes and traffic schemes for autonomous taxis are still being designed. Earlier, the administration of Astana also signed memorandums with Yandex Qazaqstan and inDrive regarding the launch of driverless taxi services in the capital in 2026. At the same time, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport is developing separate regulations for the use of autonomous cargo trucks on inter-city highways. Kazakh authorities say they are drawing on international experience in deploying autonomous transport technologies. The ministry noted that Tesla is currently testing robotaxi services in Texas, while Waymo already operates commercial autonomous ride services in several U.S. cities. In China, similar projects are being developed by Baidu and Pony.ai.

Transport

Crackdown on Private Taxis Complicates Life for Residents of Ashgabat’s Outskirts

In Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, traffic police have intensified inspections of private taxi drivers in outlying districts such as Choganly, Garadamak, and Shor. While the measures are formally aimed at curbing informal transport services, they have had significant consequences for local residents. Public transport technically operates in these areas, but routes largely run along main roads. Those living farther away often have to walk several kilometers to reach their homes. According to residents, private drivers previously helped bridge this gap by offering rides from bus stops. That option has now largely disappeared. Drivers are being stopped, fined, or, according to eyewitness accounts, asked to pay bribes. As a result, not only the drivers, many of whom rely on informal taxi services as one of the few sources of income amid unemployment, are affected, but also passengers. People with children or heavy bags are increasingly forced to walk. The situation is further aggravated by earlier restrictions. Around two years ago, at the request of city authorities, small shops were closed across the capital, including in these districts. As a result, residents must now travel to supermarkets or markets to buy groceries. This has led many to purchase goods in bulk, making the journey home even more difficult. Conditions are particularly challenging on more remote streets. For example, Ashgabat Street deep within Choganly is poorly developed, lacking sidewalks and turning into muddy streams during rainy weather. Residents say that walking in such conditions is difficult and nearly impossible with strollers or heavy bags. The street branches into smaller roads, many of which are unpaved. As a result, even routine trips outside the home can become a serious challenge. More broadly, residents note that restrictions are being introduced faster than basic infrastructure problems are being addressed. In such conditions, any tightening of regulations has an immediate and tangible impact on daily life.

Transport

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.

Transport

Astana Plans to Launch Driverless Taxis in 2026

Kazakhstan plans to launch pilot projects for autonomous taxi services in Astana as early as 2026. Memorandums of cooperation have been signed between the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the Ministry of Transport, the capital’s akimat, and private companies inDrive and Yandex Qazaqstan. According to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Astana will be among the first cities in Kazakhstan to test driverless urban transport in real-world conditions. The initiative is part of the country’s broader “smart city” strategy and includes a phased rollout from the creation of a testing ground and a “regulatory sandbox” to limited on-road operation. The inDrive pilot project is expected to begin in early 2026. A preliminary route has already been mapped in coordination with the capital’s local government (akimat), running from Astana International Airport to the Abu Dhabi Plaza business center on the left bank of the Ishim River. Before deployment, all autonomous vehicles will undergo rigorous safety testing, including assessments related to passenger, pedestrian, and road user safety. Operators and manufacturers will oversee vehicle performance, and road risk evaluations will be mandatory. InDrive stated that the Astana project draws on the company’s previous experience with autonomous transport in Saudi Arabia. The driverless taxi service will be accessible through a mobile app, with designated boarding areas planned at Astana Airport. Full-scale deployment will proceed only after testing is complete and regulatory approvals are in place. A parallel pilot project is also planned with Yandex Qazaqstan. The company intends to gradually introduce autonomous taxis on a limited number of routes, beginning with trial operations. The service will feature 24/7 dispatch support, passenger insurance, and AI-based systems for real-time monitoring of road conditions. Expansion will follow once operational experience has been gained. The ministry highlighted that countries already using driverless taxis have reported reductions in serious traffic accidents. Authorities in Kazakhstan expect similar benefits, alongside a broader transformation in the ride-hailing industry and urban transportation. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also preparing the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks for autonomous trucking on intercity highways.