Watch: When I ‘flew’ over Dubai’s iconic landmarks in RTA’s air taxi

Watch: When I ‘flew’ over Dubai’s iconic landmarks in RTA’s air taxi

Visitors experience the simulation at RTA stand in COP28. Photo by Shihab

Published: Tue 12 Dec 2023, 6:00 AM

Picture yourself sitting comfortably inside an air taxi soaring through the skies of Dubai. I recently had the opportunity to virtually experience a flight in one, courtesy of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), during their simulation at COP 28.

As I wore my VR headset and geared up for the simulation at the Innovation and Technology Hub RTA stand on Monday, I realised the imaginary cabin was seemingly quiet except for a slight hum as the taxi’s electric motors powered up.

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The sleek, futuristic capsule was modern yet minimalist, with panoramic windows stretching from the floor to the ceiling, offering breathtaking views of the cityscape below.

Soft ambient lighting enhances the calming atmosphere within the cabin. I glanced around and noticed a front panel displaying the flight path, estimated arrival time, and various points of interest along the way. Watch me experience the RTA air taxi below:

As I initiated the takeoff through the virtual control systems, I experienced a subtle sensation of ascent, accompanied by mild dizziness—taking a moment to adapt to the