MADINAH — The Transport General Authority (TGA), in cooperation with the Madinah Region Development Authority, launched a pilot program for the self-driving “RoboBus” shuttle bus service within the inner courtyard of Quba Mosque in Madinah.
This initiative is part of a project aimed at developing innovative and safe transportation solutions for visitors and worshipers, supporting the Kingdom’s drive towards sustainable transport and digital transformation.
The self-driving bus, with a capacity up to 20 passengers, utilizes an advanced artificial intelligence system, supported by modern sensors and high-resolution cameras, ensuring high levels of safety for passengers and pedestrians during operation within the mosque’s vicinity.
The pilot program aims to assess the service’s readiness in key locations, measure operational efficiency and performance quality, and enhance the user experience, paving the way for future expansion of self-driving vehicle applications in Saudi cities.
The bus route was carefully designed to extend 700 meters within the inner courtyard of Quba Mosque, facilitating the movement of visitors and worshipers through a modern, fully automated transportation system. Trips depart from designated locations serving male and female visitor entrances, adhering strictly to the pre-defined golf cart route to ensure smooth traffic flow and prevent deviations during operation.
The 60-day trial includes testing the vehicle’s integration with the surrounding infrastructure and collecting field data using high-resolution digital maps. This aims to align the autonomous driving technologies with operational requirements before wider deployment.
The project embodies the Kingdom’s commitment to investing in future technologies and supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in digital transformation and the development of intelligent transportation systems.
The project gains added significance with the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, reflecting the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen its leadership in localizing smart transportation technologies and providing a sophisticated and safe transportation environment for the residents and visitors of Madinah.
The RoboBus is an L4 autonomous, electric, driverless minibus designed for public transportation, capable of operating without a human driver to enhance urban mobility. These vehicles use advanced LiDAR, cameras, and AI to navigate.
Source: Saudi Gazette