Mowasalat (Karwa) Robotaxis lined up at Old Doha Port during a public trial on Monday, January 26, 2026. Photo by Alexandra Evangelista/ The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Booking for a Mowasalat (Karwa) Robotaxi in Qatar is designed to be simple and user-friendly, offering passengers an easy digital process to access the autonomous transport service.
As public interest continues to grow following the successful Robotaxi public trial held on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Old Doha Port, many are keen to understand how the service works, starting from booking the ride to what to expect on board the driverless vehicle.
This guide aims to outline the booking process and answer frequently asked questions about the Robotaxi service.
Important points to note prior to Robotaxi ride
- Card or wallet payment only
- Pickup and drop-off must be within 50m of valid Points of Interest (POIs)
- Robotaxis can be booked when they are 3km away
- Robotaxis are priced the same as regular taxis
- Robotaxis follow the speed limits, and operate to a maximum of 80 kilometres per hour, according to a safety officer onboard the vehicle.
Limitations
- Passengers are not allowed to sit on the front seat of the Robotaxi (maximum 2 passengers per ride)
- The rear trunk of a Robotaxi is off-limits
- Avoid touching the steering wheel or other controls during the travel
- No round-trips or modifying drop-off after booking
- Dangerous or prohibited items are strictly forbidden.
Booking Process
1. Open the Karwa application. Select the Taxi category. The user will only be prompted to take a Robotaxi when booking from the Taxi category and with card payment chosen.
2. If a Robotaxi is available, the user will be prompted to take a Robotaxi. The user must select "Yes" if the passenger wants to avail the Robotaxi service.
3. Once the Robotaxi arrives, the user can unlock the door and enter the vehicle. After boarding the vehicle, ensure the doors are locked, and seatbelts are fastened.
4. Users are advised to read the safety instructions before starting the ride.
5. The user must then enter the OTP provided, and tap 'Start Ride' on the tablet. After doing so, the ride will start automatically.
6. Only unfasten the seatbelt after the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Before exiting the Robotaxi, passengers are advised to check their belongings.
In case the passenger wants to end the trip, there is an option to 'Pull Over' which can be selected on the tablet, and the vehicle will pull over to the nearest safe stop.
A remote assistance call button is also available on the tablet, in case a passenger needs any assistance. The call will be answered by a remote operator who is immediately aware of the vehicle's surroundings and status, through an in-cabin camera.
The robotaxi will only unlock the doors when the surroundings are safe.
In case of an accident, the operator checks on the passenger, alerts emergency services, and dispatches support with another vehicle if needed.
The Robotaxi is currently operating in West Bay, Central Doha, and Hamad International Airport (HIA) area from 6am to 4am everyday as Mowasalat works to expand the number of POIs and supported zones.
