Kazakhstan wants to move beyond importing robots.
Astana Hub, QAZBOT Technologies and international robotics company AgiBot have signed a strategic partnership memorandum aimed at developing local engineering expertise, testing AI-powered robots and exploring the localisation of robotics solutions in Kazakhstan, DKNews.kz reports.
The trilateral agreement was signed during QAZBOT ROBOTICS FORUM 2026 in Astana and covers potential applications ranging from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and education.
Three companies to test robotics solutions
The memorandum brings together the Astana Hub international innovation cluster, Kazakhstan-based QAZBOT Technologies and AgiBot.
The parties plan to jointly study market demand and identify promising applications for robotics and artificial intelligence.
Their cooperation is expected to cover:
- Demonstrations of robotics and AI solutions
- Technology testing
- Pilot projects
- Development of proposals for commercial deployment
- Scaling solutions across agreed markets
- Adaptation of technologies to specific industries
The emphasis on pilot projects is intended to move cooperation from technology demonstrations toward practical applications in the economy.
Robots could enter factories, logistics and healthcare
The partners intend to focus on integrating robotics into several sectors.
Potential applications include:
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Services
- Infrastructure
- Healthcare
- Education
The partnership could also expand into research and development involving universities and research centres.
Other potential areas include training engineering specialists, building service infrastructure and exploring the localisation of robotics technologies in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan wants its own robotics value chain
Astana Hub CEO Magzhan Madiyev described robotics and Embodied AI as one of the most promising areas in artificial intelligence.
«Robotics and Embodied AI are among the most promising areas in the development of artificial intelligence. These technologies advance more rapidly when expertise, talent and industry partners come together. Our partnership with QAZBOT Technologies and AgiBot creates new opportunities to develop engineering capabilities and R&D, as well as to deploy robotics solutions in the real economy,» said Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub.
For Kazakhstan, the broader ambition is to develop domestic capabilities rather than depend entirely on imported finished products.
QAZBOT Technologies CEO Vladislav Safarov said the company is seeking to establish a complete robotics technology chain inside the country.
«It is essential for us that the development of robotics in Kazakhstan should not be limited to importing ready-made solutions. QAZBOT is building a complete technology value chain in the country — from R&D, software and AI models to localised manufacturing, engineer training and the deployment of robots in real-world processes. Our goal is to establish Kazakhstan’s own industrial and engineering foundation for robotics and AI and, together with international partners, bring these technologies into practical use,» said Vladislav Safarov, CEO of QAZBOT Technologies.
What Embodied AI means for the economy
Embodied AI refers to artificial intelligence operating through physical systems such as robots rather than existing solely as software.
This distinction is important for industry. AI models can analyze information or generate content, while intelligent robotic systems can potentially perform physical tasks in factories, warehouses, service environments and other real-world settings.
For Kazakhstan, developing this field could create demand not only for robots themselves but also for engineers, software developers, AI specialists, maintenance services and local manufacturing capabilities.
That makes localisation particularly significant: the economic value of robotics can extend beyond purchasing equipment to building expertise and supporting industries around it.
Joint projects could be presented internationally
Another potential area of cooperation involves presenting joint AI and robotics developments at the international AI & Digital Bridge forum.
The platform could give projects developed under the partnership access to international technology companies, investors, researchers and industry experts.
For Kazakh developers, this could also create opportunities to test whether locally adapted solutions have potential beyond the domestic market.
QAZBOT ROBOTICS FORUM brings industry together
The memorandum was one of the key events of QAZBOT ROBOTICS FORUM 2026.
The forum brought together technology companies, businesses, government agencies and international experts to discuss humanoid robotics and Embodied AI.
Its central plenary session, “AI & Robotics: Shaping the Economy of the Future,” focused on the practical deployment of robots, the development of domestic capabilities and the prospects of the emerging industry.
The program also included:
- B2B meetings with potential corporate customers
- Presentations of practical robotics use cases
- Demonstrations of robotics solutions
- Discussions involving international experts
AgiBot contributed international expertise as a developer of platforms and products combining artificial intelligence and robotics.
Why the partnership matters for Kazakhstan
The key question is whether Kazakhstan can capture more of the economic value created by the global robotics industry.
Importing finished robots provides access to technology, but localisation could create a much broader effect by generating demand for domestic engineering, software development, R&D, technical maintenance and skilled workers.
The memorandum does not itself guarantee manufacturing or large-scale deployment. It establishes a framework for studying demand, running pilots and assessing which technologies can realistically be adapted and localised.
If those projects progress to commercial implementation, Kazakhstan could begin building an industrial robotics ecosystem rather than remaining primarily a consumer of foreign technology.
