Pony AI has partnered with Mowasalat, Qatar’s largest transportation service provider, to deploy autonomous vehicles on the country’s roads.
Under this partnership, Pony.ai’s robotaxis have begun testing on public roads in Doha. This initial phase is being conducted with safety operators on board. The trials are focused on adapting Pony.ai’s autonomous driving stacks to the nation’s weather, road infrastructure and traffic conditions.
Mowasalat operates the nation’s largest ground transportation fleet, including taxis, buses, limousines and corporate transportation services. This collaboration aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030’s goal of transforming the country into an advanced society through sustainable development.
“This deployment with Pony.ai marks a significant milestone in our journey toward realizing Qatar’s National Vision 2030,” said Eng. Ahmed Hassan Al-Obaidly, CEO of Mowasalat. “Building on our success in managing world-class transport operations during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we are now integrating advanced autonomous driving technologies into our transportation framework. This not only enhances the efficiency and safety of our services but also contributes to the sustainable development of Qatar’s infrastructure. This initiative aligns perfectly with our strategic goals to innovate and provide cutting-edge solutions for the people of Qatar.”
“This partnership marks a major milestone in expanding our global footprint by creating ecosystem synergies through collaboration with local partners,” said Dr James Peng, chairman and CEO of Pony.ai. “Qatar presents a unique environment for autonomous driving deployment, and Mowasalat’s deep local knowledge makes it an ideal partner. Together, we aim to build a resilient and scalable autonomous driving solution that supports sustainable mobility across the region.”
In related news, three months after the launch of the groundbreaking KIRA project, the service area in the Rhine-Main region is expanding