World’s leading automobile firm Volkswagen AG will develop a fleet of self-driving electric shuttles for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The closed testing of the shuttle vehicles and buses is expected to begin in 2020 and trials will start as early as 2021. It will go live by the end of 2022.

The deal will usher in the world’s first emission-free, electric and autonomous public transport system onto the streets of Doha by 2022.

The initiative for day the self-driving Level 4 electric vehicles, known as “Project Qatar Mobility”, was signed between Volkswagen AG and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in Doha on Saturday.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania, MOIA and AID-Autonomous Intelligent Driving will be a part of this project.

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“The goal is to develop a ground-breaking autonomous transport project and transform the future of urban mobility to a sustainable and commercial deployment of AD shuttles and bus services – even beyond 2022,” said the automobile-maker in an official statement.

“35 autonomous, electric ID, BUZZ AD from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will shuttle up to four passengers in Westbay area on semi-fixed routes, while ten high-tech Scania buses pick up larger groups. Volkswagen Group’s units AID and MOIA will provide the SDS knowledge and the app software to run the service. For the first time four Volkswagen Group brands work together on such a project of urban mobility,” it added.

Qatar will host the soccer World Cup from 21 November, 2022 to 18 December, 2022.

The landmark project is expected to create a holistic ecosystem for autonomous driving, including the creation of an appropriate legal framework, smart city infrastructure and transfer of knowledge, which can be used as a blueprint to transform urban mobility, both in Qatar and beyond.

The agreement was signed by QIA CEO Mr Mansoor Al-Mahmoud and Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen Group.

“Project Qatar Mobility will play a very important role in our Strategy ‘Together 2025+‘. Addressing the economic growth, social development, and environmental management challenges identified as part of our vision, and underlines our commitment to investing in next generation mobility. We will be experiencing real-world learnings and use the project as a stepping stone – for generations to come,” said Herbert Diess, Chairman of Volkswagen.

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Commenting on the announcement, Mr Mansoor Al Mahmoud, CEO of QIA said: “For our cities to progress we need a new wave of innovation. AI-enabled, emission-free transportation technologies will help advance urban mobility, while diminishing congestion and improving energy efficiency.We are proud that QIA has been able to partner with Volkswagen to ensure that Qatar is at the forefront of these new technologies. The development of a smart transport solution will help transform the future of urban mobility, both at home and around the world.”