In a surprising turn of events, a taxi ride in Jumeirah left me with goosebumps as I settled into the plush seat of Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6, a fully autonomous Robotaxi.

As a Gulf News journalist, I was among the first to experience its pilot phase during the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, embarking on a six-kilometre test drive through the city’s iconic neighborhoods.

Entering the Robotaxi felt like unlocking a secret level in a video game. Instead of a traditional handle, the door opens with a numeric password, likely the last four digits of your phone number.

After entering the digits, the door slid open automatically, and once inside, I pressed a button next to the seat to close the door with a precise click. The atmosphere felt more like that of a spaceship than a taxi, as if the Robotaxi was welcoming me aboard.

The cabin was spacious and remarkably comfortable, featuring fully adjustable seats with heating controls. I was intrigued to find a massage function on the screen with three modes: Wave, Butterfly, and Catwalk. Trying each mode alleviated my tension, making me feel as though the car was whispering, “Relax, you’re in safe hands.”

The thrill intensified as the steering wheel spun on its own, and I felt butterflies in my stomach. The Robotaxi smoothly changed lanes and executed a flawless U-turn, with sensors and cameras analyzing every inch of the road. My heart raced as it overtook a van, but the maneuver was effortless, and it stopped perfectly at zebra crossings—no jerks or hesitations, just smooth driving.

A safety officer was onboard during this pilot phase, monitoring the journey. After a brief chat, he reassured me, saying, “Just enjoy the ride. There’s nothing to fear.” Taking his advice, I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the massage function work its magic while I explored the digital features and examined the cup holders.

The RT6, the world’s first purpose-built model for Level 4 autonomous driving, is a remarkable blend of technology and engineering. High-frame-rate vision and LiDAR ensure instant responses, while cameras and sensors track everything from lanes to pedestrians.

By the end of the ride, I found myself taking selfies and grinning like a child discovering magic. Dubai’s roads had never felt this exciting, safe, or full of possibilities.

This is just the pilot phase; by early next year, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) plans to make Robotaxis available to the public. RTA and Baidu’s Apollo Go have signed an agreement to deploy 1,000 autonomous vehicles in Dubai, with around 50 currently in trial runs. Stepping out of the RT6, one thought lingered: I had just experienced the future, and it felt incredible.