Zoox, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Amazon, has initiated mapping operations in Dallas, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, to facilitate the testing of their self-driving technology in these cities. The deployment of Toyota Highlander SUVs equipped with Zoox’s autonomous software aims to gather essential data and adapt the technology to varying urban environments. This strategic move precedes the anticipated launch of Zoox’s robotaxi service in Dallas and Phoenix, pending federal approval for commercial operations.
By expanding to these Sun Belt cities, Zoox seeks to enhance its autonomous driving capabilities by navigating through different landscapes compared to its current operating cities. The company’s goal to provide autonomous rides extends beyond these new locations, with ongoing services in major U.S. cities like Atlanta, Austin, and Los Angeles, among others. Zoox has reached the milestone of driving over a million autonomous miles and serving more than 300,000 passengers in cities like Las Vegas and San Francisco.
As Zoox awaits federal approval for its purpose-built autonomous vehicle, which lacks traditional driving controls like a steering wheel and pedals, the company remains focused on compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements. Securing exemptions from national safety regulations, Zoox aims to demonstrate the safety and efficiency of its autonomous vehicles for commercial deployment.
Source: TechCrunch