Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle unit Waymo has designed and built a custom application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip for its latest-generation robotaxis, reducing reliance on third-party suppliers such as Nvidia.
The chip, currently in production, is engineered to process sensor data at higher speeds and execute AI models more efficiently, improving vehicle reflexes and navigational capabilities in complex urban environments. Waymo stated the ASIC delivers performance exceeding 1,000 trillion operations per second (TOPS), matching the capabilities of Nvidia’s latest autonomous driving systems.
Manufacturing of the chip is handled by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) using its 5-nanometer process technology. The move aligns with Alphabet’s broader initiative to develop custom silicon to manage rising AI computing infrastructure costs while potentially lowering vehicle production expenses and enabling more spacious passenger cabins.
The development underscores the intensifying competition among automakers and technology firms to control core components of autonomous driving systems, particularly as the industry shifts toward in-house chip design to reduce dependence on external suppliers.
