Zoox Accelerates Robotaxi Rollout With Dallas, Phoenix Trials
In Focus
- Zoox trials will initially involve Toyota Highlander SUVs
- Testing in Dallas and Phoenix will expose Zoox technology to new environments
- The latest trials expand Zoox’s presence to 10 cities across the U.S.
Amazon-owned autonomous driving unit, Zoox will start testing self-driving vehicles in Phoenix and Dallas. According to CNBC, Amazon’s Zoox robotaxi testing will involve deployment of a few Toyota Highlander SUVs in the two cities to map the area before rolling out its toaster-shaped robotaxis. Zoox said a human safety driver will be present in the vehicles during testing.
Tests Take Zoox to Complex Street Layouts
The testing of Zoox robotaxis in Phoenix and Dallas allows the company to spread its technology across wider, more complex street layouts and to varied weather conditions. Previously, the company has tested its robotaxis service in dense urban environments, which include the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.
“In Phoenix, we have the opportunity to test our sensor and battery performance against extreme heat and dust on high-speed roads. Dallas provides a valuable testing ground to refine our AI against diverse weather and complex road networks,” Zoox stated in a blog post.
In addition to testing robotaxis in Dallas and Phoenix, Zoox announced plans to open a fusion center in Arizona. The center will host teams responsible for teleguidance, mission control, and rider support for the Zoox fleet. The company has set up similar command centers in Las Vegas and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Dallas, Phoenix Tests Expand Zoox Coverage
Zoox’s autonomous vehicle testing in Dallas and Phoenix expands the company’s presence to 10 U.S. cities. Last year, the robotaxi firm started offering free rides in parts of San Francisco. The move came after Zoox started offering free robotaxi service in Las Vegas while awaiting regulatory approval.
According to the robotaxi firm, over 300,000 riders have used its service since launching in Las Vegas and San Francisco. Currently, Zoox is testing its self-driving technology in Austin, Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington D.C, and Atlanta.
But Zoox has not had a smooth ride in its robotaxi rollout. In December 2025, the company had to recall 332 vehicles due to a software flaw. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the flaw could cause the self-driving vehicles to cross yellow lines at the center of the road. The traffic safety regulator also said the flaw could cause Zoox vehicles to stop in front of oncoming traffic near intersections, significantly increasing the risk of collisions.
Zoox’s Gradual Growth
Amazon bought the robotaxi startup in 2020 for $1.3 billion. Gradually, the company has expanded its testing across cities in the U.S. Zoox has also expanded its manufacturing capabilities, opening a 220,000-square-foot plant in San Francisco’s Bay Area.
Once fully operational, the factory is expected to manufacture 10,000 vehicles each year. Zoox faces stiff competition from Alphabet-owned Waymo, which has been offering commercial autonomous rides since 2020. The company is also competing with Tesla, which started testing robotaxis in Austin last year.
