The city of Doha, Qatar wants to have an all-electric and autonomous public transport system up-and-running in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is partnering with Volkswagen to make it happen.
Tech Crunch reports that Volkswagen and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) will work together in developing the infrastructure needed to integrate a host of self-driving vehicles into the city’s current public transport network.
A Modern Kombi: VW Confirms I.D. Buzz For Production In 2022
Four of the Volkswagen Group’s brands will collaborate to make the system work. First and foremost, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will build a total of 35 I.D. Buzz minivans for Doha that will shuttle up to four passengers on semi-fixed routes through the city’s Westbay area. At the same time, Scania will develop and produce 10 high-tech buses that will transport larger groups of people. VW’s MOIA and Autonomous Intelligent Driving (AID) subsidiaries will provide the self-driving technologies and mobility service expertise to get the transport system operational.
“AI-enabled, emission-free transportation technologies will help advance urban mobility, while diminishing congestion and improving energy efficiency,” QIA chief executive Mansoor Al Mahmoud said. “The development of a smart transport solution will help transform the future of urban mobility, both at home and around the world.”
VW intends to start closed testing of its I.D. Buzz shuttle vehicles and Scania buses in 2020, with trials scheduled to start in 2021. Provided everything pans out, the service should be ready to go when the next FIFA World Cup commences in late November 2022.
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