Waymo builds custom chip for robotaxis to boost performance

Investing.com -- Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo announced Thursday that it has developed a custom chip for its robotaxis, marking a shift away from relying solely on third-party suppliers such as Nvidia Corp.

The application-specific integrated circuit chip is now in production in Waymo's latest robotaxi generation. The company said the chip will enhance the vehicles' reflexes and navigational abilities in complex urban environments.

Waymo has previously used chips from companies including Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices Inc., integrating them into computers of its own design. The specialized chip allows Waymo to process sensor data more quickly and run AI models that help robotaxis understand and respond to their surroundings.

The company said the chip is capable of more than 1,000 TOPS, or trillions of operations per second. This performance level matches Nvidia's latest systems for autonomous driving.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. produces the chip using its 5-nanometer manufacturing technique. While this is not TSMC's most advanced production method, many leading companies still use it for manufacturing.

Waymo said the custom chip, used alongside other components and sensors the company designed, may reduce costs while providing more spacious and accessible interiors for riders. The development aligns with a broader effort by Alphabet's Google to develop custom chips and manage the rising costs of AI computing infrastructure.

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