Driverless taxis to launch in Astana by 2026

Kazakhstan's Astana is set to introduce driverless taxis by 2026, following a recent agreement between key government officials and private sector leaders.

The memorandum of cooperation was signed by the heads of the Ministries of AI and Transport, the deputy mayor of Astana, and the head of Yandex Qazaqstan, marking a significant step towards the city’s autonomous vehicle initiative, Caliber.Az reports via Kazakh media. 

Gizzat Baitursynov, the head of the Digital Assets Committee at the Ministry of AI, explained that the collaboration will focus on addressing safety concerns and ensuring smooth interaction between humans and algorithms.

Additionally, the parties aim to develop a regulatory framework that will ensure the legal and transparent operation of the driverless taxis, with the potential for future expansion.

Baitursynov emphasised that the project is part of a larger "smart city" vision, where advanced technology is integrated to benefit residents and enhance the overall urban experience.