Robotaxi trial draws strong turnout

Doha, Qatar: The Robotaxi public trial organised by Mowasalat (Karwa) drew a strong turnout at Old Doha Port yesterday, underscoring growing interest...

Doha, Qatar: The Robotaxi public trial organised by Mowasalat (Karwa) drew a strong turnout at Old Doha Port yesterday, underscoring growing interest in experiencing autonomous transport firsthand.

Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the event, Dr Hamed Al Shaibani, Executive Director of Information Technology and Communications (ITC) at Mowasalat (Karwa), said the trial aims to familiarise the public with the Robotaxi service, ease hesitancy and build confidence in the safety and reliability of autonomous mobility solutions.

“The public trial is to give the people a chance to try the service and to increase the confidence on this service, because since the announcement of this project, we’ve seen an increased interest, and we wanted people to have the chance to come and try,” he told The Peninsula.

Participation in the trial was open to members of the public who registered through an online application, with selected applicants invited to take part. The event began with a briefing on Robotaxi technology, outlining its key features, operational functions, and user guidelines for hailing and using the service.

A fleet of ten Robotaxis was deployed for the trial, which operated within a designated area at Old Doha Port. Participants experienced supervised rides, allowing them to observe the vehicle’s performance, responsiveness, and passenger-focused features.