Kazakhstan is preparing to launch driverless axis and delivery drones. To facilitate this, road infrastructure in three cities will be modified including updated road markings, new signage, and specialized boarding zones. Details were provided by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development,El.kz reports.
Where the autonomous vehicles will appear
The pilot project for self-driving taxis is planned for launch in Astana, Almaty, and Kosshy. Specific routes, the number of vehicles, and designated traffic zones have not yet been finalized; they will be approved following program coordination, technology verification, and discussions with local administrations (akimats) and market participants.
Delivery drones are already being tested in Almaty as part of a project involving private companies.
Safety measures
First, the vehicles and drones will undergo testing at proving grounds. This will be followed by infrastructure readiness checks, covering road markings, signs, traffic lights, and digital maps. Risk assessments will also be conducted to ensure compliance with safety requirements.
During the initial stage, self-driving taxis will carry a backup driver who can intervene if necessary. If the system proves reliable, a transition to fully autonomous mode with remote monitoring may follow. Flight regulations for urban drones will be established at a later date.
Liability in the event of an accident
Responsibility for accidents and incidents will be shared among the operator, the owner, and the manufacturer, depending on their respective roles. A dedicated regulatory framework is currently being developed for this purpose.
Infrastructure changes
To support the project, plans include updating road markings, installing additional signage, creating designated passenger pickup and drop-off zones, and refining various elements of the urban road network.
Launch timeline
Trials for self-driving taxis have not yet begun; the project is currently in the preparatory stage. Once the program is approved, the conditions and format of the launch will be determined. The pilot project is expected to last approximately three years.
Test drone flights are expected to take place in Almaty in the near future.
The decision to scale the project nationwide will be made after the pilot concludes, taking into account safety, efficiency, and infrastructure readiness. No specific dates have been announced yet.
The project is being implemented through private investment, without the use of government budget funds. In the first stage, the technology will be applied to urban mobility (taxis) and logistics (drones).