Waymo builds custom robotaxi chip capable of more than 1,000 TOPS
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Waymo said Thursday it has built a custom ASIC chip that is already in production in its latest robotaxi generation. The chip can process more than 1,000 TOPS and is manufactured on TSMC's 5-nanometer process, which Waymo said puts it on par with Nvidia's latest autonomous-driving systems. The move shifts Waymo away from third-party chip suppliers such as Nvidia and AMD.
Key Facts
- Waymo said Thursday its custom ASIC chip is in production in the company's latest robotaxi generation.
- The chip is capable of more than 1,000 TOPS, a measure Waymo said matches Nvidia's latest autonomous-driving systems.
- Waymo manufactures the chip on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s 5-nanometer process.
- Waymo recently launched a robotaxi with Zeekr, a unit of Geely Automobile Holdings, that is now equipped with the new chip.
The Custom Chip
Waymo's application-specific integrated circuit is in production in the company's latest robotaxi generation, the company said Thursday. The chip is capable of more than 1,000 TOPS, or trillions of operations per second, a measure Waymo said places it on par with Nvidia's latest autonomous-driving systems. Waymo said the chip is made using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s 5-nanometer technique. Waymo said using its own chip alongside sensors it designed will improve robotaxis' reflexes and navigational skills in complex urban environments.
Chip Supply Shift
Waymo has historically relied on chips from Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, integrating them into computers of its own design. The custom chip diversifies Waymo's supply beyond those third-party companies, the company said. The move coincides with Alphabet's Google orchestrating a broader effort to develop custom chips and control the costs of AI computing infrastructure. Waymo said a specialized chip lets it process sensor data faster and run AI models that help robotaxis respond to surroundings.
Robotaxi Fleet
Waymo remains the clear US robotaxi leader, offering more rides in San Francisco, Phoenix and Atlanta than rivals Tesla and Amazon's Zoox. Its fleet has largely relied on Jaguar vehicles retrofitted with autonomous-driving technology and chips from other suppliers. Waymo recently launched a robotaxi with Zeekr, an arm of China-based automaker Geely Automobile Holdings, that is now being equipped with the new custom chip. The company said the move marks a shift toward more purpose-built robotaxis.
1 source
Waymo builds custom robotaxi chip capable of more than 1,000 TOPS
