Doha, July 07 (QNA) – The Ministry of Transport (MOT) announced that Mowasalat (Karwa) has successfully completed a trial operation of electric robotaxis, further advancing Qatar’s autonomous transportation initiatives.
The robotaxis completed a round trip between the MOT headquarters and Old Doha Port, representing a continuation of the project’s achievements and supporting Qatar’s vision for smart, sustainable and technology-driven mobility.
MOT Assistant Undersecretary for Land Transport Affairs Abdullah Saif Al Sulaiti said the pioneering project aligns with the Autonomous Vehicles Strategy developed by the ministry. The strategy aims to utilize advanced technology applications and introduce smart, environmentally friendly systems within the public transportation sector.
Al Sulaiti added that the concerned MOT departments continue to follow international best practices in adopting smart and sustainable mobility solutions. He emphasized that the pilot operations were conducted according to the highest safety standards, with the ministry preparing to launch the next operational phases in cooperation with Karwa.
Eng. Nayla Khaled Al Noaimi, In-Charge of the Road Affairs Department at MOT, said the successful robotaxi trial confirmed that operational and technical systems are ready for broader adoption of autonomous services. She explained that the next phase is expected to move towards the operation of fully autonomous vehicles without drivers, in coordination with relevant authorities in Qatar.
Hamad Ali Al Marri, Director of MOT’s Land Transport Licensing Department, said the ministry places great importance on adopting secure and reliable services while continuously improving land transportation quality through innovation and sustainability.
Karwa CEO Ahmed Hassan Al Obaidly said the company is working closely with MOT on this vital project and has dedicated the required resources, including trained personnel, vehicles, technology and advanced software, to ensure success at every stage.
The first phase of the project began in August 2025, followed by the launch of pilot commercial services through the Karwa app in December. It included 2,500 autonomous vehicle trips operated under the supervision of trained safety officers seated in the vehicles.
The pilot phase achieved positive results, including successful commercial operations, high passenger satisfaction and safety performance exceeding initial targets. Around 94 percent of trips were completed successfully without human intervention.
The upcoming second phase will introduce remote operation of two autonomous robotaxis without safety officers onboard. The service will gradually operate on three approved routes: Old Doha Port–The Gate Mall, Souq Waqif–Sheraton Doha Hotel, and MIA–West Bay.