Rivian Buys Third Dimension As inDrive, Pony.ai & NVIDIA Plan 2027 Robotaxi Tests

Rivian is buying technology originally developed to create video-game worlds, while inDrive is preparing to test robotaxis in a city known for brutal winters.

Both want self-driving cars that can handle reality, but they're approaching the challenge from opposite directions.
 

TL;DR

• Rivian has acquired Third Dimension, a UK startup specializing in AI-generated 3D environments for driving simulations.
• The acquisition brings 15 employees into Rivian's autonomy team as it advances its self-driving ambitions.
• inDrive, Pony.ai, and NVIDIA are exploring robotaxi trials in Kazakhstan in the first half of 2027.
• Initial tests will involve safety operators before any potential transition to driverless operations.

Rivian Acquires Third Dimension To Advance Self-Driving AI Technology

Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian has acquired Third Dimension, a British artificial intelligence (AI) startup that transforms images and videos into realistic three-dimensional environments.

Interestingly, the technology was originally developed to accelerate video game production. Rivian, however, plans to use it for something considerably more consequential: training and validating autonomous driving systems.

Founded in 2024 by Tolga Kart and Piotr Sokólski, Third Dimension previously raised $7 million in seed funding. Its 15 employees, primarily based in the UK, will join Rivian's autonomy and AI division, led by James Philbin.

The financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed.

The technology could also strengthen Rivian's AI operations in London, supporting its broader efforts to develop autonomous vehicles.
 

Rivian Uses Real-World Driving Data To Build AI Simulations

Traditional driving simulations often struggle to reproduce the unpredictable conditions encountered on actual roads.

Third Dimension's technology aims to address that limitation by converting real-world driving footage into interactive environments where developers can modify traffic behavior, lighting, weather, and camera positions.

“For us, it’s about taking real scenarios, but making them simulatable,” Philbin said.

Rivian already collects anonymized and aggregated driving data from customer vehicles whose owners have enabled external camera sharing. According to Philbin, its fleet generates more than 400,000 uploaded data sequences daily.

These simulations could help engineers recreate dangerous or unusual road situations without waiting for them to occur naturally.

The development complements Rivian's existing autonomous vehicle ambitions and Uber robotaxi partnership.

Rivian currently offers Universal Hands-Free driving on highways, requiring continuous driver supervision. By the end of 2026, it aims to expand supervised hands-free capabilities across highways and surface streets.

Its longer-term objective involves fully autonomous R2 SUVs operating through Uber's platform in 2028.
 

inDrive Partners With Pony.ai And NVIDIA For 2027 Kazakhstan Robotaxi Tests

Meanwhile, Uber competitor inDrive is taking another route toward autonomous mobility.

The ride-hailing company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pony.ai and NVIDIA to explore robotaxi operations in Kazakhstan.

The proposed trials will begin in Astana during the first half of 2027, initially featuring human safety operators before potentially transitioning toward driverless rides.

Under the arrangement, Pony.ai would supply its seventh-generation robotaxis, inDrive would manage operations through its ride-hailing platform, and NVIDIA would contribute AI technology.

Known for allowing passengers and drivers to negotiate fares, inDrive wants to extend its affordable transportation approach to autonomous services.

“Our approach is capital-light by design,” inDrive CTO Yuri Misnik said.

The company currently operates across more than 1,200 cities in 47 countries, although its Kazakhstan plans remain exploratory rather than a confirmed commercial rollout.
 

NVIDIA's Hyperion And Halos Systems Could Reduce Robotaxi Development Costs

NVIDIA's proposed technology contribution includes its Hyperion autonomous vehicle platform and Halos safety system.

According to NVIDIA, its integrated computing and sensor infrastructure could reduce development expenses, particularly in emerging markets where autonomous transportation must compete with relatively affordable conventional rides.

Kazakhstan also presents an interesting testing environment.

Astana experiences lengthy winters with heavy snow and icy roads, potentially offering valuable insights into autonomous vehicle performance under difficult conditions.

The country has already announced plans for autonomous taxi services in 2027 and introduced regulations permitting testing on designated public roads.

Meanwhile, Pony.ai aims to operate more than 3,500 robotaxis across over 20 cities worldwide by the end of 2026, compared with 1,975 vehicles at the end of June.
 

Rivian And inDrive Push Autonomous Driving From AI Simulations To Real Roads

The two developments highlight different challenges in the expanding robotaxi industry.

Rivian is investing in more realistic simulations to improve how autonomous driving systems learn and are evaluated, while inDrive is assembling the technology and operational partners needed to test robotaxis in challenging real-world conditions.

For now, neither announcement guarantees a fully driverless launch, but both represent steps toward making autonomous transportation more capable and commercially viable.