Qatar Orders Self-Driving Shuttles in Preparation for FIFA 2022

In preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has begun the process of employing self-driving electric shuttles. The Qatar Investment Authority has made a deal with Volkswagen AG that will deliver 35 autonomous, electric ID. BUZZ AD cars capable of carrying up to four passengers, as well as 10 Scania buses for bigger groups. The larger buses can hold up to 80 people of which 25 are seated.

The plan is for the self-driving shuttles to operate on a semi-fixed route throughout the Westbay area. Tests will begin this year with open trials starting in 2021 leading to the full implementation in 2022.

This will be the first step to the creation of the necessary smart city infrastructure with a focus on sustainable transport in the country.

“In the coming years, technological and infrastructural progress in electric and autonomous vehicles will be key enablers in that shift. A higher degree of sharing is also important, and through advances in autonomous transport it will be simpler to introduce more flexibility in shared people transport,” said Scania’s CEO Henrik Henriksson.

Additional Source: Railway Gazette

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