Smart Mobility Summit at MWC Doha 2025 Envisions Future of Autonomous Vehicles, AI's Role in Cities of Future

Doha, November 26 (QNA) - The Smart Mobility Summit - AI and connectivity: the pulse of autonomy, held on Wednesday as part of MWC Doha 2025, reviewed major transformations in the land transport sector, highlighting the future of autonomous vehicles, digital infrastructure, and the pioneering role of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in leading this global shift.
This debut session will discuss the future of Smart Mobility in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and how it is helping realize the smart city vision, from autonomous cars to drones and eVTOLs.
The session began with a presentation of a study that shows that the Gulf region possesses all the necessary elements to be among the first adopters of large-scale autonomous driving systems, thanks to massive investments and an impressive deployment of 5G, which is expected to reach 95 percent of the population across GCC states by 2030.
The study estimated that the autonomous mobility market in the region could reach $18 billion, while the market value of autonomous vehicles in Doha alone could reach $1 billion during the same period, reflecting the shift of these technologies from futuristic concepts to practical, applicable realities.
It noted that heavy reliance on private cars in Gulf cities is one of the main drivers of the shift toward autonomous transport, making self-driving solutions essential for reducing congestion, improving mobility efficiency, and lowering emissions.
The summit showed that every 1 percent increase in autonomous driving trips in the region could generate four to five times greater economic and social impact compared with other regions, due to the exceptionally high dependence on private vehicles.
Moreover, AI technologies could reduce daily travel times by up to 30 percent and cut accidents by as much as 70 percent, opening the door to improved quality of life and enhanced sustainability.
Discussions emphasized that 5G standalone form the backbone of smart mobility, and that building a connected, instantly responsive digital ecosystem is essential for the success of autonomous transport. The session also highlighted the importance of developing secure, unified communication platforms that enable smart vehicles to interact with roads, signals, and infrastructure, helping improve traffic efficiency and reduce future congestion and emissions.
The session showcased ongoing experiences in Doha, which has become a real-world laboratory for intelligent transport through projects including autonomous buses, robotaxis, connected vehicles, and joint research initiatives with global companies.
It also touched on efforts to integrate these solutions into the public transport network, expand their use in various areas, and develop regulatory frameworks that ensure safe and efficient operation.
The summit further discussed the role of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication applications in driving the next stage of development, noting that these technologies will enable real-time data exchange between vehicles and infrastructure, a crucial step toward reducing accidents and improving traffic flow in cities.
According to the GSMA, forecasts indicate that the Middle East and Africa region is projected to be the world's fastest-growing market for autonomous driving systems, with a CAGR of 7.8 percent from 2023 to 2028. Meanwhile, the Advanced Air Mobility market, valued at $467.2 million in 2023, is set to reach around USD 2.1 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 25.5 percent. Combined with an impressive deployment of 5G, which is expected to reach 95 percent of the population across GCC states by 2030, the region is building a high performance infrastructure that lays a foundation for innovative Smart Mobility solutions.
With robust infrastructure, bold investments, and a strong openness for innovation, the region is accelerating the development and adoption of autonomous mobility.
Moreover, strategic global partnerships with leading international companies are helping make the Gulf a launchpad for next-gen mobility. (QNA)