Astana Signs Memorandum on Development of Autonomous Taxi Services
Astana plans to develop an autonomous taxi service following the signing of a memorandum of cooperation on Dec. 29. The document was signed by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry, the Ministry of Transport, the Astana city administration, and Yandex Qazaqstan, the ministry reported.
The memorandum предусматривает поэтапную подготовку проекта автономного такси, включая формирование нормативно-правовой базы, технологическую проработку и запуск пилотных проектов. Реализация инициативы запланирована на 2026 год и будет осуществляться в тесном взаимодействии с государственными органами и городскими службами.
According to Gizzat Baitursynov, Chairman of the Committee for Digital Assets and Breakthrough Technologies, priority attention will be given to issues of safety, liability, and human–algorithm interaction, as well as to the development of a transparent legal framework enabling the lawful deployment of autonomous transport technologies.
Autonomous taxi services are considered part of the long-term development of urban mobility. International studies indicate that such technologies can reduce road accidents by minimizing human error, optimize traffic flows, and improve transport accessibility, including for people with limited mobility. They may also contribute to the formation of a sustainable urban transport system in major cities.
At the current stage, the parties will focus on regulatory development, infrastructure assessment, and analysis of scenarios for integrating autonomous vehicles into the urban transport environment.
Photo credit: gov.kz
