Representatives of Volkswagen AG and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) have signed a new initiative, ushering in a new era of urban mobility for the capital city of Doha.
QIA and Volkswagen will work together to develop the required physical and digital infrastructure to seamlessly integrate a fleet of self-driving vehicles into Doha's existing public transport network. The fleet will comprise of 35 autonomous electric ID. Buzz models from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which will shuttle up to four passengers in Westbay area on semi-fixed routes, while 10 high-tech Scania buses will pick up larger groups.
The landmark project will create a holistic ecosystem for autonomous vehicles, including the creation of an appropriate legal framework, smart city infrastructure and transfer of knowledge, which can then be used as a blueprint to transform urban mobility both in Qatar and beyond. Closed testing of the shuttle vehicles and buses is expected to begin in 2020 and trials will start as early as 2021. The project will go live by the end of 2022, providing a technical showcase of future autonomous driving.
The landmark project will create a holistic ecosystem for autonomous vehicles, including the creation of an appropriate legal framework, smart city infrastructure and transfer of knowledge, which can then be used as a blueprint to transform urban mobility both in Qatar and beyond. Closed testing of the shuttle vehicles and buses is expected to begin in 2020 and trials will start as early as 2021. The project will go live by the end of 2022, providing a technical showcase of future autonomous driving.
