Remote Surveillance Trailer in Scottsdale, AZ

Autonomous mobility company Zoox is expanding its US testing footprint, adding Phoenix and Dallas as new markets for its robotaxi development program. The Zoox expansion marks another step as the Amazon-owned startup continues scaling operations across major metro areas.

In a growing landscape of fully autonomous robotaxi networks in the US, Zoox remains one of the bigger names in its segment, competing against other heavy-hitters like Tesla, Waymo, and, more recently, Nuro.

What sets the Amazon-backed robotaxi developer apart from nearly all of its competitors, however, is purpose-built vehicle, which operates without pedals or a steering wheel. Those unique EVs have been driving on public roads in the Bay Area for years, and are now transporting the public on the Las Vegas Strip.

However, most of Zoox’s expansion into other US cities uses more traditional vehicles equipped with its full suite of proprietary sensors. In the past, Zoox has announced expansions that include testing in cities such as Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, and, most recently, Washington, DC.

This morning, Zoox announced the addition of two more US cities – Phoenix, Arizona, and Dallas, Texas.

Zoox expands testing to Phoenix and Dallas plus new depot

According to a release from Zoox, its robotaxi network is expanding testing in Texas with the addition of Dallas, as well as new operations in Arizona, starting in Phoenix. To support the expansion, Zoox said it is opening new robotaxi depots in both Phoenix and Dallas, as well as a new Fusion Center facility in Scottsdale, AZ.

Zoox Fusion Centers are the central hub for fleet operations, where teleguidance, mission control, and rider support provide real-time support to help autonomous fleet vehicles navigate complex scenarios and support customers. The new Scottsdale location will join existing Fusion Centers in the San Francisco Bay Area and Las Vegas.

To begin, residents in Dallas and Phoenix neighborhoods will begin seeing a small number of retrofitted Zoox test vehicles (seen above) driving around. As it is standard for all robotaxi developers, the initial focus will be on manually mapping the new cities before any autonomous testing takes place.

Even then, there will be a Zoox safety driver behind the wheel to supervise and step in if needed. After that, Zoox said it will begin deploying its purpose-built reobotaxis in both Dallas and Phoenix. Per the company:

Phoenix and Dallas are both rapidly growing metropolitan areas with high demand for ride-hailing and first- and last-mile connections. Expanding into these cities allows us to test in sprawling environments, differentiating this data from our testing in other dense metro areas like San Francisco.

Crucially, these markets allow us to rigorously validate our technology’s resilience in diverse and challenging weather conditions. In Phoenix, we have the opportunity to test our sensor and battery performance against extreme heat and dust on high-speed roads. Dallas provides a valuable testing ground to refine our AI against diverse weather and complex road networks.

On a side note, Zoox also announced that by late 2025, it had driven over 1 million autonomous miles, transporting more than 300,000 riders in cities like San Francisco (Explorers program) and Las Vegas. Today’s expansion announcement continues that momentum in 2026 and beyond.

If you see any Zoox vehicles out and about in those new cities, let me know!

For generations, Frank & Lupe’s has been more than a restaurant. It’s where New Mexico flavor meets Arizona spirit, a place that feels like home with every meal. This spring, the beloved Old Town Scottsdale landmark begins its next chapter in Gainey Ranch, carrying its same soul forward under new ownership, with founder Maria “Lupe” Bernal’s legacy still guiding every plate.

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“Frank & Lupe’s has always been about heart, hospitality, and honest food,” said new owner Piero Aviles, who will oversee the Gainey Ranch opening. “We’re not changing what works. Lupe’s recipes, her traditions, and her standards are still at the center of everything we do.”

Guests will find the same favorites they love, along with a few thoughtful updates:

Frank & Lupe’s began decades ago in Socorro, New Mexico, where Frank and Lupe Bernal dreamed of serving food rooted in family tradition. When their son Teddy brought that dream to Scottsdale, the restaurant quickly became a neighborhood fixture, celebrated for its fiery green chile, unfussy hospitality, and the unmistakable comfort of a home-cooked meal.

Now opening at 8787 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 214, the restaurant joins some of Scottsdale’s most established dining destinations, bringing its signature charm and exclusive Mexican cuisine to the heart of Gainey Ranch.

“Our goal is to feel familiar but fresh,” Aviles added. “The Bernals built something truly special. We’re just making sure Lupe’s recipes, her touch, and that sense of home live on in this next chapter.”

Frank & Lupe’s Gainey Ranch is expected to open in spring 2026. For updates, follow @frankandlupesaz on social media or visit frankandlupesaz.com.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — New body-camera video released Friday shows a Phoenix Suns star being arrested in Scottsdale after a DUI stop.

Dillon Brooks was pulled over just after 1 a.m. near Thunderbird and Scottsdale roads. The officer in the bodycam video said Brooks didn’t stay in his lane six different times while on Scottsdale Road from Mountain View Road.

“I was following the person in front of me,” Brooks said. He added that he saw the officer following him around Scottsdale and Camelback roads, but the officer said he was following multiple people.

The officer then asked if Brooks had smoked marijuana.

“It’s been a while,” Brooks replied. He denied having marijuana in the car.

“It smells quite heavily of the presence of marijuana. That’s why I’m asking,” the officer said.

Brooks denied smoking marijuana and said the last time he drank was six months ago.

After checking his information, Brooks was asked to get out of the car so the officer could make sure he was OK to drive.

“To be honest with you, it smells like a dispensary in your car,” the officer said.

The officer conducted several field sobriety tests on Brooks, including a breathalyzer.

“So why are you lying about the amount of marijuana you’ve consumed in the last six months?” the officer asked. “You’ve definitely consumed marijuana tonight.”

Brooks denied again using marijuana. The officer then put Brooks in handcuffs. The officer was careful not to hurt Brooks’s hand, which he had just had surgery on.

The 30-year-old was taken to jail, where he was booked and later released. Police confirmed Brooks faces two DUI-related charges in this incident.

The forward has been out of the Suns’ lineup since he fractured his hand in a Feb. 21 game against the Orlando Magic. Reports indicated that the team expected him to return in four to six weeks.

The Suns organization gave Arizona’s Family the following statement about Brooks:

“We are aware of the situation involving Dillon Brooks and are gathering more information. We have no further comment at this time.”

Before the injury, Brooks was having the best season of his NBA career, averaging a career-high 20.9 points per game. He came to the Suns as part of the trade that sent 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets during the offseason.

Phoenix was one of the NBA’s early-season surprise teams, but injuries have started to pile up since the All-Star break. Without Brooks and big man Mark Williams, the Suns struggled to gather any momentum in a 105-103 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

This is Brooks’ first season with the Suns after previously playing for the Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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