Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system now relies on a custom 5 nm ASIC chip to process the torrent of data from its Ojai robotaxi’s 13 high-fidelity cameras. The chip delivers more than 1,000 TOPS of computing power, matching the performance of Nvidia’s DRIVE AGX Thor while improving efficiency and reducing costs.
The company says the chip is a key reason its next-gen vehicles can operate safely in dense urban environments like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, where its robotaxi service is now open to all riders. Waymo has also expanded its supplier network, naming partners including AMD, Micron, Nvidia, Samsung, and TSMC to support the hardware.
The move underscores Waymo’s push to turn a profit by cutting build, operational, and maintenance expenses. With permits secured for up to 8,000 robotaxis in Nevada’s Clark County, the chip’s role in scaling the fleet could shape the future of autonomous ride-hailing.
