Observed Signal · Aug 23, 2026 · Technical Release · Source: techcrunch · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Waymo Reveals Custom 5nm ASIC for Robotaxis
Waymo disclosed it built a custom 5 nm ASIC designed to pre-process the massive sensor data arriving from its Ojai robotaxi (which has 13 high-fidelity cameras), claiming the chip delivers more than 1,000 TOPS of compute and improves system efficiency. The company says the chip helps reduce build, operating and maintenance costs and listed partners including AMD, Micron, Nvidia, Samsung, Sandisk, Socionext and TSMC. The TechCrunch Mobility newsletter also reports venture funding and partnerships across the autonomous mobility sector — including Also’s $150M Series D, Serve Robotics’ deals with Grubhub and DoorDash after Uber sold its stake, Einride’s purchase agreement for 500 Tesla Semis, and regulatory and operational updates affecting Amazon, Tesla, Uber and Waymo.
Waymo's disclosure of a custom high-performance ASIC signals deeper vertical integration and potential reductions in per-vehicle compute cost for robotaxis; the newsletter also compiles funding, partnerships and regulatory items that have moderate industry impact for autonomous vehicle compute, supply chains and safety oversight.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Waymo said it built a custom 5 nm ASIC designed to pre-process raw sensor data for its sixth-generation self-driving system.
- Waymo claims the chip delivers more than 1,000 TOPS of computing performance and compared its performance to Nvidia’s DRIVE AGX Thor automotive processor.
- Waymo listed partners involved in compute and supply chain work: AMD, Micron, Nvidia, Samsung, Sandisk, Socionext and TSMC.
- Also (a Rivian-incubated startup) raised $150 million in a Series D round led by Prysm Capital; Also has raised $455 million since spinning out of Rivian in March 2025.
- Serve Robotics finalized deals to partner with Grubhub (new cities) and expand DoorDash coverage after Uber sold all of its shares in Serve.
Connected Companies & Entities
20 Entities mapped“The company shared this week that it built a custom silicon chip — specifically a 5 nm ASIC chip, which is designed to handle the massive in...”
“a statistic that puts it roughly in the same performance range as Nvidia’s latest DRIVE AGX Thor automotive processor, a powerful computer d...”
“The company listed a slew of partners, some for the first time, that includes AMD, Micron, Nvidia, Samsung, Sandisk, Socionext, and TSMC....”
“The company listed a slew of partners, some for the first time, that includes AMD, Micron, Nvidia, Samsung, Sandisk, Socionext, and TSMC....”
“The company listed a slew of partners, some for the first time, that includes AMD, Micron, Nvidia, Samsung, Sandisk, Socionext, and TSMC....”
“The company listed a slew of partners, some for the first time, that includes AMD, Micron, Nvidia, Samsung, Sandisk, Socionext, and TSMC....”
“Serve has partnered with Grubhub to use its sidewalk robots, starting in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Alexandria, Virginia....”
“Also closed a $200 million round and announced a multiyear commercial agreement with DoorDash to develop and deploy autonomous delivery vehi...”
“Amazon wants its drone delivery service to reach nearly 500 U.S. cities by the end of 2026, expanding its current footprint sixfold....”
“Einride, the Swedish electric and autonomous trucking company, struck a deal with Tesla to buy 500 of its electric Semis and make the electr...”
“Separately, Uber also sold all of its shares in the company....”
“The company listed a slew of partners, some for the first time, that includes AMD, Micron, Nvidia, Samsung, Sandisk, Socionext, and TSMC....”
“I reached out to numerous companies, including Rivian, General Motors, Ford, Kodiak, Lucid Motors, Nuro, and Uber....”
“Bedrock Robotics, an autonomous vehicle technology startup founded by veterans of Waymo and Segment......”
“Also, the startup incubated within Rivian, has raised another $150 million in a Series D round led by Prysm Capital with participation from ...”
“Uber was fined €825 million ($966 million) by the Dutch Data Protection Authority for using automated systems to deactivate or suspend drive...”
“Hyundai’s luxury car brand Genesis unveiled a seven-seater electric SUV called the GV90 that will compete with other hefty EVs like the Cadi...”
“Vessev, a New Zealand startup developing electric hydrofoil boats, raised $19 million in a Series A round led by Blackbird Ventures....”
“Uber was fined €825 million ($966 million) by the Dutch Data Protection Authority for using automated systems to deactivate or suspend drive...”
“Uber said it is investing in, and partnering with, drone delivery company Zipline....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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Waymo Launches Next-Gen Robotaxis to Strengthen U.S. Dominance
Waymo has begun deploying its sixth-generation Waymo Driver in Ojai robotaxis, initially offering employee rides in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles with plans to expand to public riders later this year. The new driver uses more cost-effective components, upgraded lidar and radar, a 17-megapixel imager that reduces the number of required cameras, and new in-house algorithms and integrated cleaning systems to improve performance in rain and snow. Waymo installs its autonomous stack into base vehicles supplied by Geely/Zeekr and says it will not share its driving technology, sensor data, or rider information with the automaker. The company operates in six U.S. markets today, plans major U.S. and international expansions in 2026, reported a $16 billion funding round led by Alphabet valuing Waymo at $126 billion, and faces some U.S. political scrutiny over its use of Chinese-made vehicles.
Wayve Secures $1.8B for Self-Driving Tech Expansion
Wayve, a U.K. self-driving technology startup founded in 2017, announced a large new funding round and expanded strategic relationships with major technology and automotive companies. The article reports Wayve’s latest round as $1.2 billion in the body (the headline states $1.8 billion) and values the company at $8.6 billion. Investors and participants include Nvidia, Uber, Microsoft, Eclipse, Balderton, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Stellantis, and several institutional investors. Wayve sells an end-to-end, data-driven neural-network autonomy stack that does not require HD maps or specific sensors and can run on partners’ existing vehicle compute (including Nvidia Drive AGX Thor). Nissan plans to integrate Wayve software into ADAS starting in 2027; Uber plans commercial trials this year and expects deployments in more than 10 markets.
Wayve Secures $1.2B for Revolutionary Self-Driving Tech
Wayve raised $1.2 billion in a funding round that includes returning backers Microsoft, Nvidia, and Uber, plus three automakers and a mix of venture and institutional investors, valuing the U.K. startup at $8.6 billion. Founded in 2017, Wayve develops end-to-end, data-driven autonomous driving software that does not require high-definition maps and is sensor- and chip-agnostic. The company offers two products: an “eyes on” assisted-driving system and an “eyes off” fully automated system intended for robotaxis and consumer vehicles. Wayve’s Gen 3 platform uses Nvidia Drive AGX Thor to enable eyes-off advanced driver-assistance and Level 4 capabilities. Nissan plans to integrate Wayve’s software into cars starting in 2027; Uber is running commercial trials this year and says it plans deployments in more than 10 markets. The round was led by Eclipse, Balderton, and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with other institutional investors participating.
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