Zoox starts mapping Dallas and Phoenix for its robotaxis

Zoox is mapping the streets of Dallas, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, as a precursor to testing its autonomous vehicles in the two cities. The company said on Monday that it had sent a small number of its Toyota Highlander SUVs to each city, where workers will drive them to help Zoox's autonomous software get the lay of the land. Zoox will afterwards start testing its self-driving system using the SUVs in both cities before switching to its purpose-built robotaxis. The two new markets will help the company collect data in areas that are different from the dense metros its vehicles currently operate in. Once live in Dallas and Phoenix, Zoox will operate in 10 cities in the United States. The company is currently offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco. Zoox has driven more than a million autonomous miles in those cities and ferried more than 300,000 passengers. The Amazon-owned company is still waiting for federal approval of its purpose-built autonomous vehicle to launch commercial robotaxi service. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last August granted an exemption so the company could demonstrate its vehicles on public roads. Zoox will also need permission from local agencies. This is the first time the company will operate in Arizona. The company said it is opening depots in Dallas and Phoenix, as well as a new command center in Scottsdale. The facilities will create hundreds of new jobs and support fleet operations including remote guidance and rider support.