Kazakhstan has approved rules for a pilot project to introduce self-driving vehicles. Testing of the innovative transport will be conducted in three cities, reports infohub.kz.
A joint order by the ministers of artificial intelligence and digital development, transport, and internal affairs was signed on August 4. The document defines the procedure for introducing autonomous vehicles in the country and establishes a legal framework for their practical use.
As explained by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the rules set requirements for pilot project participants, vehicles, conditions for their admission to operation, as well as mechanisms for state control and safety assurance.
The pilot project will be implemented over three years in Astana, Almaty, and Kosshy. Testing of autonomous vehicles is planned both at specialized testing grounds and on certain public road routes agreed upon with authorized state bodies.
One of the key features of the new rules is the differentiation of requirements for vehicles with different levels of automation. For cars with conditional automation, the mandatory presence of a person ready to take control at any moment is provided. For highly automated vehicles, operation without a driver in the cabin is allowed, but with remote monitoring by an operator.
The document also establishes mandatory safety requirements. Autonomous vehicles must be equipped with data recording systems, video surveillance, emergency shutdown devices for the automated control system, special marking "Autonomous Control," as well as mechanisms to protect against external interference with the software.
Special attention is paid to passenger transportation, interaction with law enforcement agencies, and actions in case of road accidents. The rules define the procedure for operating autonomous vehicles in taxi services and irregular passenger transportation, and also establish requirements for liability insurance of pilot project participants.