Las Vegas has always been a city where you can catch a glimpse of the future.
From incredible resorts and high-tech attractions to dazzling entertainment, there’s always something new rolling down the Strip.
This trip, it wasn’t a new casino or restaurant that caught our attention.
It was a Zoox RoboTaxi.
And honestly…
We’re still not sure how we feel about it.
Wait… There’s No Driver?
The first time we saw one, we actually did a double take.
No steering wheel.
No driver.
No one sitting behind the wheel.
Just a futuristic-looking vehicle quietly making its way through Las Vegas traffic.
If you’ve spent any time around the Strip lately, you’ve probably seen them too.
We noticed several driving between Resorts World, the central Strip, and the area near Harry Reid International Airport.
They’re definitely becoming more common.
It Reminded Us of a Movie…
Maybe it’s just us…
But every time we see one, we can’t help thinking about the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi classic Total Recall.
Remember the robotic taxi driver?
That’s exactly where our minds went.
It feels like something that belonged in science fiction just a few years ago is suddenly driving right next to us in real life.
Would We Ride in One?
That’s the million-dollar question.
Right now…
We’re honestly not sure.
Technology has come a long way, and companies like Zoox have invested heavily in autonomous driving.
But climbing into a vehicle with no human driver still feels like a pretty big leap.
Maybe after seeing them around for a while longer.
Maybe after hearing from people who’ve actually ridden in one.
For now…
We’re still on the fence.
How Does It Even Work?
One thing we realized while watching them drive by…
We have absolutely no idea how you actually use one.
Is there an app?
How do you request a ride?
How do you pay?
How does it know exactly where to pick you up?
We’re guessing it’s all handled through your phone, but we’ve never actually looked into it.
Maybe that’s our next Vegas adventure.
Could This Be the Future?
We recently read that Zoox plans to expand production of these autonomous vehicles.
If that’s true, we may start seeing them in more cities across the country.
It’s interesting to think about.
Could driverless taxis become as common as rideshare services over the next decade?
Or will people always prefer having a real person behind the wheel?
Only time will tell.
What Do You Think?
That’s what makes this conversation interesting.
Some people love new technology.
Others aren’t quite ready to trust it.
Where do you stand?
Would you hop into a RoboTaxi today?
Or are you waiting until the technology has been around a little longer?
At Nana & Papa What’s Next, we love discovering everything from hidden restaurants and road trips to the newest attractions and technology.
Sometimes the best adventures simply start with asking…
“Should we try that?”
This might be one of them.
