Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky announced on Mar. 26 that Zoox, an autonomous ride-hailing company owned by Amazon, will open a new Zoox Fusion Center in Scottsdale as part of its national expansion into Phoenix and Dallas.
The center will act as a regional hub for the company’s growing robotaxi testing network. According to Zoox officials, the facility will provide teleguidance, mission control, and rider support for its autonomous fleet operating across Arizona. The Scottsdale site joins existing centers in the San Francisco Bay Area and Las Vegas.
“Scottsdale is proud to welcome Zoox to our community,” Borowsky said. “Their decision to establish a Fusion Center here underscores Scottsdale’s leadership in innovation, technology, and high-quality economic growth. This investment strengthens our city’s role in the future of autonomous mobility and brings new opportunities for our residents and workforce.”
Zoox plans to start its Arizona operations with retrofitted Toyota Highlander SUVs equipped with safety drivers who will manually map local areas before moving on to supervised autonomous testing. These vehicles are expected to operate in Phoenix neighborhoods ahead of deploying purpose-built robotaxis designed without steering wheels or pedals.
The company chose Scottsdale due to the region’s unique environment—extreme heat, dust, and high-speed roads—which helps validate battery performance, sensors, and artificial intelligence systems used by its vehicles. Borowsky said that the facility represents a meaningful addition to the area’s innovation economy as it is expected to support local workforce growth while Zoox expands its U.S. operations.
“Zoox’s arrival reinforces Scottsdale’s position as a destination for companies shaping the next generation of transportation,” Borowsky said. “We look forward to supporting their success as they bring high-tech jobs and cutting-edge mobility solutions to our region.”
Borowsky has supported community service initiatives for children, older adults, and underprivileged youth through board roles according to the official website. The mayor’s office has also emphasized resident engagement through updates and reports according to the official website. She served as mayor of Scottsdale according to the official website after previously serving on City Council from 2008-2012 where she advocated for fiscal conservatism and budget improvements according to the official website. Borowsky has maintained lifelong residency in Scottsdale according to the official website.
