{"id":647245,"date":"2026-03-11T05:20:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T05:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/647245\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T05:20:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T05:20:36","slug":"amazons-zoox-is-bringing-toaster-shaped-robotaxis-to-dallas-dallas-innovates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/647245\/","title":{"rendered":"Amazon’s Zoox Is Bringing Toaster-Shaped Robotaxis to\u00a0Dallas \u00bb Dallas Innovates"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A Zoox robotasi. [Photo: Zoox]<\/p>\n

It looks like it could heat a Pop-Tart. It has no steering wheel. And it\u2019s a foot shorter than a Mini Cooper. But the Zoox robotaxi could be a big addition to the future of mobility in Dallas.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Based in Foster City, California\u2014and acquired by Amazon for $1.2 billion in 2020\u2014Zoox plans to open a new depot in Dallas to prepare for the rollout of its robotaxis in the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n

First, though, the company will deploy a small number of retrofitted SUVs that act as its \u201cZoox testing fleet.\u201d They\u2019ll focus initially on manual mapping before progressing to autonomous testing. A safety driver will be behind the wheel with the ability to disengage the AI if needed, the company said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Once that SUV testing step is complete, Zoox will begin testing its cute little robotaxis in Central Dallas.<\/p>\n

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Entering a Zoox robotaxi. [Photo: Zoox]<\/p>\n

No \u2018front\u2019 or \u2018back\u2019\u2014and it moves in both directions<\/p>\n

Zoox robotaxis are designed for the rider, not a driver. Inside, you\u2019ll find a carriage-style interior with two bench seats that face each other. Seating for four adults comes with seat belts and customized air bags. Cabin amenities include wireless phone charging, cup holders, and user-controlled lighting.<\/p>\n

The all-electric robotaxi is bidirectional, with no dedicated \u201cfront\u201d or \u201cback.\u201d Instead, it can change directions at will and maneuver freely thanks to four-wheel steering. \u00a0Its sensor suite features 28 cameras, 20 radar sensors, and 16 lidar sensors, delivering a 270-degree field of view \u201cat every corner.\u201d<\/p>\n

A touch screen on an interior wall lets passengers manager their trips.<\/p>\n

It may not look fast, but it can reach 75 miles per hour, Zoox says\u2014though don\u2019t expect that to happen in Deep Ellum on a Saturday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Inside a Zoox robataxi [Photo: Zoox]<\/p>\n

Already in Austin and 7 other markets\u2014and expanding to Phoenix, too<\/p>\n

Zoox said it\u2019s also expanding to Phoenix, Arizona, with the same game plan as in Dallas. The company\u2019s robotaxi testing fleets already operate across eight other markets, including Austin, the San Francisco Bay Area,\u00a0Las Vegas,\u00a0Seattle,\u00a0Austin,\u00a0Miami,\u00a0Los Angeles,\u00a0Atlanta, and\u00a0Washington D.C.<\/p>\n

Zoox said expanding into Dallas and Phoenix \u201callows us to test in sprawling environments, differentiating this data from our testing in other dense metro areas like San Francisco.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dallas provides \u201ca valuable testing ground\u201d to refine Zoox\u2019s AI against diverse weather and complex road networks, the company said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Zoox wants you to step right into their robotaxis\u2014with seating on a bench to the right or left. [Photo: Zoox]<\/p>\n

\u201cExpanding our testing fleet to Dallas and Phoenix reflects the strong momentum behind our business as we continue growing city by city,\u201d Zoox added. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to begin building roots in these communities and look forward to the day we can invite riders there to experience Zoox firsthand. Until then, give us a wave if you see us on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since Zoox launched its service in Las Vegas last September and its Zoox Explorers program in San Francisco last Novemver, the company says it has driven more than one million autonomous miles and served more than 300,000 riders.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Zoox will soon begin manual mapping and autonomous testing in Dallas and Phoenix with its retrofitted SUV test vehicles. [Image: Zoox]<\/p>\n

Joins a growing lineup of robotaxi services in Dallas<\/p>\n

If Zoox eventually operates on Dallas streets for paying customers, it won\u2019t be the only robotaxi service in town.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Just last month, Waymo became the first company<\/a> to offer driverless robotaxis to riders in Dallas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Austin-based Avride has partnered with Uber<\/a>\u00a0on a robotaxi service in Dallas that launched in December\u2014but for now, that service is still using human safety drivers behind the wheel.<\/p>\n

And last February, Lyft, the San Francisco-based ride-sharing giant,\u00a0announced plans<\/a>\u00a0to roll out a robotaxi service in Dallas \u201cas soon as 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

But all those services operate retrofitted traditional SUVs. Zoox is rolling out something decidedly different\u2014bringing a cutely new addition to our driverless hailing future.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss what\u2019s next. Subscribe\u00a0to\u00a0Dallas\u00a0Innovates.<\/p>\n

Track Dallas-Fort Worth\u2019s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.<\/p>\n

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\tR E A D\u00a0\u00a0 N E X T\t<\/p>\n