DOHA — Imagine hailing a cab with no steering wheel. For select Qatari residents, that future arrived this weekend as the country’s public transport operator let ordinary citizens ride in a self-driving “robotaxi” for the first time.
Mowasalat (Karwa) conducted a public trial of an autonomous taxi at Old Doha Port on Sunday, handpicking residents who applied online to experience a ride without a human driver.
“It felt surreal,” said one participant, who asked not to be named. “You sit inside, the doors close, and the car just starts moving on its own. It’s quiet, smooth—and a little bit like science fiction.”
The vehicles are equipped with advanced sensors, cameras and real-time monitoring systems, navigating pre-mapped routes within a controlled zone under strict safety protocols, the company said.
This trial isn’t just a tech showcase—it’s a confidence-building mission. Mowasalat aims to gauge public trust and understanding of autonomous vehicles, which could one day transform how Doha commutes.
Why it matters: With Qatar investing heavily in smart city infrastructure ahead of major events like the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, autonomous transport is seen as key to safer, greener and more efficient mobility.
The feedback from Sunday’s passengers will help shape the next phase of Qatar’s driverless ambitions—potentially bringing robotaxis from the port to the streets in coming years.
“This is a significant step toward the future of transport in Qatar,” a Mowasalat spokesperson said. “Public engagement is essential as we develop smarter mobility solutions.”
For now, the rides remain confined to a test zone. But for those who took the trip, the message was clear: the driverless future is no longer parked in the distance—it’s already arriving.