Doha: The Ministry of Transport (MOT) announced on Tuesday that it has supervised Mowasalat (Karwa) successfully conduct a tryout of electric robotaxis. The robotaxis made a round trip between the headquarters of the MOT and the Old Doha Port in what is seen as an extension of the project's successes.
According to Qatar News Agency, today's successful robotaxis pilot shows the operating and technical systems are ready for the broader adoption of autonomous services. The Ministry of Transport's Assistant Undersecretary for Land Transport Affairs, Abdullah Saif Al Sulaiti, mentioned that this project aligns with the Autonomous Vehicles Strategy developed by the MOT. This strategy aims to leverage advanced technology applications, incorporating the latest smart, eco-friendly systems within the public transportation industry. Al Sulaiti highlighted that the concerned departments within the MOT are adopting smart and sustainable mobility solutions by following best universal practices.
Eng. Nayla Khaled Al Noaimi, In-Charge of the Road Affairs Department with the MOT, stated that the successful pilot indicates readiness for the broader adoption of autonomous services. The next phase aims to advance to the full run of autonomous vehicles in coordination with the concerned authorities in Qatar. Hamad Ali Al Marri, Director of MOT's Land Transport Licensing Department, also emphasized the Ministry's focus on embracing reliable and secure services for the public, ensuring quality improvement of land transportation services to match innovation and sustainability standards.
CEO of Mowasalat (Karwa), Ahmed Hassan Al Obaidly, expressed commitment to working closely with the Ministry on this project. Mowasalat has dedicated necessary resources, including skilled personnel and advanced technology, to ensure the initiative's success. The company's goal is to deliver the service with high standards of safety and comfort, aligning with developments in the public transport sector and Qatar National Vision 2030.
The project began its first phase in August 2025, followed by a pilot commercial service launched via the Karwa app last December. It included 2500 trips with a trained safety officer in the driver's seat. The pilot phase reported satisfactory outcomes with successful commercial operations, high passenger satisfaction, and exceeded safety rates, with 94 percent of trips being successful without human interference.
The second phase will involve the remote operation of two autonomous robotaxis without a safety officer onboard. These will operate on three pre-tested and approved routes: Old Doha Port-The Gate Mall, Souq Waqif-Sheraton Doha Hotel, and MIA-West Bay. The second phase will be implemented gradually, ensuring that each route meets all necessary safety requirements before proceeding to the next stage.