Doha once again took center stage in the global conversation on the future of transport as the second edition of the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum (AEMOB) unfolded at the Qatar National Convention Centre from 7–9 September 2026. Hosted by Qatar’s Ministry of Transport, the event drew government leaders, industry innovators, academics, and policymakers from around the world to examine how autonomous and electric mobility is reshaping transportation on land, sea, and in the air, reinforcing Qatar’s role as a growing hub for smart mobility dialogue in the region.
Event At a Glance
| Particulars | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Autonomous e-Mobility Forum (AEMOB Forum) — 2nd Edition |
| Dates | 7–9 September 2026 (conference: 7–8 September; ecosystem tour: 9 September) |
| Venue | Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), Doha |
| Host & Strategic Partner | Ministry of Transport (MoT), State of Qatar |
| Patron | H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, Minister of Transport |
| Organizer | Just us & Otto Marketing Services |
| Knowledge Partner | CharIN |
| Scale | 40+ speakers, 50+ sessions across 10 tracks, 20+ exhibition spaces, 1,000+ delegates |
The second edition of the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum (AEMOB) took place at the Qatar National Convention Centre from 7–9 September 2026, reaffirming Doha’s position as a regional hub for dialogue on driverless and electric mobility. Hosted by Qatar’s Ministry of Transport and organized by Just us & Otto, the Forum brought together senior government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, technology innovators, academics, and media to explore how autonomous and electric mobility solutions are being implemented in Qatar and worldwide.
Building on the inaugural 2024 edition, AEMOB Forum 2026 expanded its scope to cover mobility across land, sea, and air, and combined a professional conference track with a broader community and innovation program, including startup showcases, an SME competition, and a 3-Minute Thesis Challenge.
Opening Ceremony
The Forum was officially inaugurated on 7 September by H.E. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Maadeed, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, in the presence of the Undersecretaries of the Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, alongside senior officials and transportation industry leaders.
In his keynote address, Al-Maadeed framed the transportation sector’s evolution from a support function into a strategic driver of national development, one that is now central to economic competitiveness and quality of life. He noted that the shift toward electric mobility and autonomous driving systems represents a defining feature of the industry’s future, and that realizing this transition responsibly requires addressing energy demands, digital infrastructure readiness, safety and regulatory frameworks, and the localization of technology and national capability-building.
He linked these efforts to Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) and the country’s broader shift from building new infrastructure to maximizing the utilization of existing networks; spanning roads, the metro system, public transit fleets, ports, airports, and logistics zones.
Following his address, Al-Maadeed toured the Forum’s exhibition alongside accompanying officials, reviewing some of the newest autonomous and e-mobility technologies on display.
Conference Program & Themes
Across its two-day professional conference, AEMOB Forum 2026 featured more than 50 keynote addresses and panel discussions spanning 10 dedicated industry tracks. Core themes included:
- Autonomous & self-driving systems: progress and challenges in expanding deployment from controlled environments to open city streets, including public transport applications
- Electrification: of vehicle fleets, logistics networks, and maritime transport, including green ports and autonomous vessels
- Advanced air mobility: electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft
- Charging & battery technology: ultra-fast charging and integration of EV charging systems with smart grids
- Digital infrastructure & AI: AI-powered intelligent traffic management systems
- Policy & regulation: international regulatory frameworks, cybersecurity, and data privacy
- Smart cities: connected infrastructure and Qatar’s broader smart mobility vision
- Workforce & skills: training pathways for technicians and engineers to meet emerging skills demands in the autonomous mobility sector
- Safety & ethics: public dialogue on the ethical and safety considerations of self-driving vehicles
- Local innovation: homegrown mobility ecosystems across the GCC
A notable Day 1 session, led by the Ministry of Transport, was “Integration, Planning and Sustainability – A Future Look,” which examined Qatar’s approach to building an integrated, technology-driven transportation ecosystem across all modes.
Technical workshops featured participation from Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) on EV–smart grid integration, alongside case studies on autonomous mobility deployment both in Qatar and internationally.
Exhibition & Community Program
The Forum’s exhibition occupied more than 20 spaces at QNCC, showcasing electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, autonomous vehicle technology, and smart mobility instruments to delegates and visitors throughout the two days.
Beyond the professional conference, AEMOB Forum 2026 ran a dedicated community program designed to engage entrepreneurs, start-ups, students, and young professionals, including:
- SME Competition
- Startup Showcase
- 3-Minute Thesis Challenge
- Ecosystem Tours showcasing Qatar’s smart mobility vision (held 9 September)
- Gala Dinner and Awards
Academic & Institutional Participation
Qatar’s academic and research community played an active role in shaping the Forum’s discussions. The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) sponsored and participated in the event, represented in part by the Head of the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at UDST’s College of Engineering and Technology. Qatar University was also among the institutions involved in sessions examining mobility technologies and their practical, real-world implementation.
Interactive sessions additionally explored the lived experience of EV ownership in Qatar and future career pathways within the autonomous mobility sector.
Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony
Hosted by the AEMOB Forum on the evening of 8th September, the Gala Dinner brought the conference to a close with a dedicated Awards Ceremony recognising the individuals and organisations drving exceptional progress in autonomous and electric mobility. The Gala Dinner welcomed 124 guests at the Rosewood Doha.
Award Winners
AEMOB Visionary Award: Qatar EV Association
AEMOB Technology Innovation Excellence Award: Mowasalat (Karwa)
AEMOB Most-Promising Start-up Award: Hyke
Competition Winners
Start-up Showcase Challenge: Shadi El Abdallah, Regent – 8 Competitors
3-Minute Thesis Challenge: Matt James Fortes, University of Doha Science and Technology – 6 Competitors
Closing
The Forum concluded its two-day main conference program on 8 September, followed by the ecosystem tour on 9 September. Organizers and the Ministry of Transport positioned the event as consistent with Qatar’s newly launched National Transport Strategy (2025–2030) and its alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, underscoring autonomous and electric mobility as a continuing strategic priority for the country.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic alignment: AEMOB Forum 2026 was explicitly positioned as a delivery mechanism for Qatar’s National Transport Strategy 2025–2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030.
- Multimodal scope: The 2026 edition broadened beyond road transport to include maritime and air mobility (eVTOL), reflecting a more comprehensive view of “autonomous e-mobility.”
- Public–private–academic collaboration: Government bodies (MoT, KAHRAMAA), international knowledge partners (CharIN), and academic institutions (UDST, Qatar University) were all directly embedded in the programming rather than serving as passive attendees.
- Workforce readiness: Skills development and technician/engineer training emerged as a recurring theme, signaling recognition that infrastructure and technology investment must be matched by human capital development.
- Community-innovation pipeline: Dedicated platforms (SME Competition, Startup Showcase, 3-Minute Thesis Challenge) suggest an intent to convert forum dialogue into a longer-term innovation pipeline, not just a two-day conference.
