VW self-driving shuttles to transform Qatar’s public transport

With an aim to improve local public transport in Doha, the capital of Qatar, Volkswagen and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) have signed an agreement named ‘Project Qatar Mobility’. 

Under this agreement, a fleet of self-driving electric shuttles will integrate into Doha’s existing transport network. 35 VW ID BUZZ AD and 10 Scania buses will be introduced, to be operated on a self-driving system (SDS) with zero emissions. 

Volkswagen’s Autonomous Intelligent Driving (AID) and MOIA units will provide the app software and SDS for running the service. While the ID BUZZ AD units will be used to shuttle up to four passengers, the high-tech Scania buses will be used for transporting larger groups. These vehicles will operate on semi-fixed routes in the Westbay area.

The project is expected to meet eco-friendly objectives by creating an ecosystem for autonomous driving, including smart city infrastructure, legal framework and transfer of knowledge. 

“Project Qatar Mobility will play a very important role in our Strategy ‘Together 2025+‘, addressing the economic growth, social development, and environmental management challenges identified as part of our vision, and underlines our commitment to investing in next-generation mobility,” Herbert Diess, the chairman of Volkswagen said in a statement. “We will be experiencing real-world learnings and use the project as a stepping stone – for generations to come,” he added.

The CEO of QIA, Mr. Mansoor Al Mahmoud said, “For our cities to progress we need a new wave of innovation.AI-enabled, emission-free transportation technologies will help advance urban mobility while diminishing congestion and improving energy efficiency.”

While the closed testing of the project will begin next year, the trials are slated to commence in 2021. By the end of 2022, we’ll see the project go live. 

Also read: Volkswagen uses GTX tag for high-performance ID electric vehicles