PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Another self-driving car company is headed to the Valley.
Amazon announced Monday that its autonomous ride-hailing company, Zoox, is expanding into Phoenix.
Zoox is developing its own vehicle for driverless ride-hailing, rather than adding self-driving tech to standard cars.
Testing vehicles are expected to begin mapping and collecting data in the coming weeks, with early testing expected in and around downtown Phoenix. After that testing phase, the company plans to deploy vehicles without safety drivers.
“I think it’s healthy, to be honest. This is a technology where competition is good,” said Andrew Maynard, an ASU professor and expert in autonomous vehicles.
While those are the testing vehicles pictured, the Robotaxis look like a futuristic shuttle that features no steering wheel, no pedals, and no driver’s seat.
Maynard says there are several reasons why companies have been, and continue to be, attracted to bringing their new technology to Phoenix.
“If you’re Waymo, they came here early on because there was a relaxation of regulations here that allow them to experiment and unlearn what works and what doesn’t. There was a regulatory sandbox that no longer exists. So for something like Zoox, really, they argue that they want to test their cars in a harsh environment, especially with the temperatures here and the dust,” he explained.
Zoox also plans to open a “Fusion Center” in Scottsdale to provide real-time support and coordination for its vehicles and riders. There are facilities in Las Vegas and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Autonomous vehicle companies are required to follow a self-certification process and all stringent federal laws, regulations and guidelines set by the Arizona Department of Transportation specifically for driverless cars.
Zoox would join other self-driving companies already operating in the Valley, including Waymo. Tesla Robotaxi got the green light to start testing its cars in Arizona in September 2025 and is expected to begin operating to the public in the first half of this year.
It’s not just autonomous vehicles that are used for rideshares either. Driverless semi-trucks by Aurora Innovation Inc. are also expected to be deployed more in Phoenix.
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