Supercar Blondie takes a ride through Las Vegas in the world’s first robotaxi from Zoox

If you want a real glimpse into the not-too-distant future, come for a ride with us in the world’s first robotaxi, designed and operated by Zoox.

Recently, Supercar Blondie was invited over to Las Vegas to have the privilege of seeing this groundbreaking technology in action, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Sure, there are other autonomous cars out there, and we’ve shown you them in the past, but this unique bidirectional vehicle is a little bit different.

It was purpose-built as a taxi, built from scratch to carry passengers from A to B.

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The world’s first purpose-built robotaxi

Even though this is clearly a forward-thinking and futuristic vehicle, there are elements of the past involved, too.

The design is based on a 19th-century horse-drawn carriage – you know, the kind that would have been pulled by a horse?

Well, if it’s good enough for Victorian royalty, it’s good enough for us.

Despite that classic design inspiration, this Zoox robotaxi uses cutting-edge tech to keep passengers safe as it travels around.

That means there are lidar, radar, long-wave infrared sensors, and cameras to detect exactly where the vehicle is at all times, and to provide information about where other vehicles are as well.

Safety is – of course – the top priority, but serious consideration has also been given to comfort and the rider’s experience.

Riding in safety and comfort, but without a driver

Large wheels and active suspension ensure a smooth ride, and the interior has been entirely designed with the passenger in mind.

Behind the sleek sliding doors, there is space for four people with wireless charging stations for phones, drink holders, and a personal screen to play music, check your arrival time, or adjust the temperature during the journey.

If you are still apprehensive about getting into a vehicle without a driver, you should know that there are airbags everywhere, the robotaxi has a whole array of incredibly sophisticated passenger safety features and has passed all required federal safety crash tests.

This isn’t something that has been devised overnight, either.

Zoox has spent 10 years developing and refining the hardware and technology that makes the vehicle as safe as it is.

The robotaxi is capable of seeing over 200 meters in every direction around it and has an incredible virtual memory of maps that allows it to navigate its environment with ease.

Taking a ride around Las Vegas in the Zoox robotaxi

Our very own Alex Hirschi trusted Zoox to take her for a ride, buckling into her seatbelt, and taking to the streets of Vegas.

During that ride, she tested out some of the features of Zoox, checking out the celestial display on the vehicle’s ceiling, as well as marveling at the knowledge and capabilities of the robot driver.

Zoox was founded in California back in 2014, spending a full decade getting everything right – from safety to design, to then finally getting onto the roads after approval in 2023.

This all-electric driverless vehicle is capable of speeds of 120km/h (75mph) and represents the future of personal transportation.

Soon, you and your mates could be climbing into a robotaxi and traveling safely off for a night out together in one of these incredible autonomous vehicles.