Self-Driving Bus Launched at Quba Mosque

May 11, 2026

The Public Transport Authority tests a driverless shuttle on a 700-metre track inside the mosque’s inner courtyard as part of a 60-day trial.

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Key Takeaways

Saudi Arabia’s Public Transport Authority has launched a trial of the “Robobus” self-driving shuttle inside Quba Mosque’s inner courtyard in Madinah
The bus runs on a 700-metre route and serves both male and female visitor entrances without a human driver
The 60-day test will gather field data and assess whether the technology is ready for wider use across Saudi cities

Saudi Arabia has begun testing a self-driving shuttle bus inside the inner courtyard of Quba Mosque (Mosque of Quba) in Madinah, marking one of the first deployments of autonomous vehicle technology.

The Public Transport Authority, working with the Madinah Region Development Authority, launched the trial of the “Robobus” to explore how driverless transport can improve the movement of visitors and worshippers at high-traffic religious locations.

How the Robobus Works

The shuttle operates using artificial intelligence combined with a network of sensors and high-resolution cameras. These systems allow the bus to navigate its route, detect pedestrians, and maintain safe operation without any direct human control.

The vehicle follows a carefully mapped 700-metre track inside the mosque’s inner courtyard, stopping at designated points that serve both male and female visitor entrances. It runs on the same path used by golf carts and does not deviate from this pre-set route during operation.

What the 60-Day Trial Covers

The trial runs for 60 days and is designed to test how well the Robobus integrates with the surrounding infrastructure at Quba Mosque. During this period, the vehicle will collect field data using high-resolution digital maps to help fine-tune how the autonomous driving system responds to real-world conditions.

Launch of Self-Driving Buses in the Courtyards of Masjid Quba in Medina (2/2)pic.twitter.com/7CU01qilrh
— Mansour Alotaibi (@MansourAlofn) May 11, 2026

The trial also measures operational efficiency, monitors performance quality, and tracks the experience of users on board. All data gathered will be used to determine whether the technology is ready for broader use in Saudi cities before any expansion takes place.

If the Quba Mosque trial succeeds, the Robobus model could be extended to other vital locations across the country as part of the Kingdom’s push to build a safer and more advanced transport environment for both residents and visitors to Madinah.

Maisah

Maisah is a Muslimah and journalist for The Islamic Information based in Indonesia. Studying Law at Maritime University of Raja Ali Haji. She believes in the power of words and hopes that her articles will positively impact all of her readers.