Zoox, Amazon’s autonomous taxi spin-off, announced that they are launching operations in Arizona, beginning with Phoenix, and expanding testing in Texas to Dallas. To support its growing operations, the company will also be opening new depots in Phoenix and Dallas, as well as a new Fusion Center facility in Scottsdale, creating hundreds of jobs in these communities. With the addition of Dallas and Phoenix, the Zoox testing fleet now operates across ten distinct markets: the San Francisco Bay Area, Las Vegas, Seattle, Austin, Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.
Phoenix and Dallas are both rapidly growing metropolitan areas with high demand for ride-hailing and first- and last-mile connections. Expanding into these cities allows the company to test in sprawling environments, differentiating this data from its testing in other dense metro areas like San Francisco.
Crucially, these markets allow the company to rigorously validate its technology’s resilience in diverse and challenging weather conditions. In Phoenix, there is the opportunity to test sensor and battery performance against extreme heat and dust on high-speed roads. Dallas provides a valuable testing ground to refine the company’s AI against diverse weather and complex road networks.
Following its standard protocol, the company will deploy a small number of its Zoox testing fleet, retrofitted SUVs, and initially focus on manual mapping before progressing to autonomous testing. There is always a safety driver behind the wheel who can take over at any time, disengaging the AI if needed. These testing vehicles will be located in central Dallas and Phoenix neighborhoods. Once this step is complete, the company will deploy its purpose-built robotaxis in these markets to begin testing.
The company is also opening a third Zoox Fusion Center facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, complementing existing facilities in Las Vegas and the San Francisco Bay Area. Fusion Centers serve as the company’s command center for fleet operations, where teleguidance, mission control, and rider support provide real-time coordination to help vehicles navigate complex scenarios, complete missions, and support riders when needed.
Since launching its service in Las Vegas and its Zoox Explorers program in San Francisco at the end of last year, the company has driven more than one million autonomous miles and served more than 300,000 riders. The Zoox purpose-built robotaxi offers uniquely designed elements, like carriage seating, that enhance socialization as well as safety innovations not possible in a traditional car.
Expanding the testing fleet to Dallas and Phoenix reflects the strong momentum behind the business as the company continues growing city by city. The company is excited to begin building roots in these communities and looks forward to the day it can invite riders there to experience Zoox firsthand. Until then, drivers are encouraged to give the vehicles a wave if they see them on the road.
