Waymo has developed a custom 5 nm ASIC chip designed to process the substantial raw data generated by its next-generation Ojai robotaxi, which is equipped with 13 high-fidelity cameras. The chip delivers over 1,000 TOPS (trillions of operations per second), placing its performance in the same range as Nvidia’s DRIVE AGX Thor processor. Waymo asserts that this chip contributes to a self-driving system with “unmatched efficiency and performance,” enabling rapid and safe reactions in complex urban environments.

The company’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to reduce the cost of building, operating, and maintaining its robotaxis, which is critical for achieving profitability. Waymo’s vertical integration extends beyond the custom chip, involving partnerships with technology firms such as AMD, Micron, Nvidia, Samsung, Sandisk, Socionext, and TSMC. These collaborations underscore Waymo’s comprehensive approach to enhancing the computational capabilities and economic viability of its autonomous vehicle platform. Source

This is a summary. Read the original at techcrunch.com.