● Covered by 4 sources · 7 reportsMedium impact2 negative5 neutral
Waymo reveals details of custom computing hardware powering its robotaxis
Key points
- Waymo revealed details of its robotaxi computing hardware.
- The system includes a custom silicon chip.
- It processes up to one quadrillion operations per second.
- Hardware suppliers were also disclosed.
- The custom chip is a 5nm ASIC chip.
- The chip is for the Ojai robotaxi.
- The chip processes raw data before it reaches the core self-driving system.
- Waymo and Zoox test drivers reported over two dozen injuries in 2024 and 2025.
- Injuries resulted from hard braking and sudden movements by autonomous vehicles.
- Some workers were sidelined for months due to injuries like whiplash.
- Waymo and Zoox robotaxis caused dozens of test driver injuries in 2026.
- OSHA data was used to report on the test driver injuries.
- Waymo's internal statistics claim AVs reduce serious injury accidents by 94 percent.
- A September 2026 TechCrunch report used OSHA data.
- Zoox is owned by Amazon.
- Waymo's driverless cars had 82% fewer injury-causing crashes than human drivers.
- Waymo's safety data covers 271 million driverless miles.
- The data covers five cities through the end of June.
- The data includes Atlanta, Austin, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco-Bay Area.
- Wayve partnered with Mercedes-Benz to integrate its automated driving tech.
- Wayve's tech will be in at least one Mercedes-Benz model within two years.
- The Mercedes-Benz integration is a Level 2 product.
- Wayve has partnerships with Nissan and Stellantis.
Waymo's Robotaxi 'Brain' Revealed
Waymo has publicly shared details regarding the high-powered computing system housed in its robotaxis. This system, described as the 'brain' of the autonomous vehicles, includes information on its chip architecture, processor specifications, and internal components. The company also listed the hardware suppliers involved in building these computers.
Processing Power for Autonomous Driving
The computing hardware is capable of performing up to one quadrillion operations per second. This processing power is essential for handling the massive streams of raw sensor data from cameras, lidar, and radar, which are then processed by artificial intelligence to make real-time driving decisions. The system is designed to provide a full 360-degree view and enable split-second actions without human intervention.
Design Principles and Operational Scale
Waymo engineers Satish Jeyachandran and Daniel Rosenband outlined three core design principles for the compute system: responsive, ruggedized, and redundant. The system must respond to sensor data with minimal latency. Waymo currently operates approximately 4,000 vehicles across more than 10 cities, conducting around 500,000 paid trips weekly, and states its technology reduces traffic crashes and injuries compared to human drivers.
Updates
- Wayve partnered with Mercedes-Benz to integrate its automated driving tech.
- Wayve's tech will be in at least one Mercedes-Benz model within two years.
- The Mercedes-Benz integration is a Level 2 product.
- Wayve has partnerships with Nissan and Stellantis.
- Waymo's driverless cars had 82% fewer injury-causing crashes than human drivers.
- Waymo's safety data covers 271 million driverless miles.
- The data covers five cities through the end of June.
- The data includes Atlanta, Austin, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco-Bay Area.
- Waymo and Zoox robotaxis caused dozens of test driver injuries in 2026.
- OSHA data was used to report on the test driver injuries.
- Waymo's internal statistics claim AVs reduce serious injury accidents by 94 percent.
- A September 2026 TechCrunch report used OSHA data.
- Zoox is owned by Amazon.
- Waymo and Zoox test drivers reported over two dozen injuries in 2024 and 2025.
- Injuries resulted from hard braking and sudden movements by autonomous vehicles.
- Some workers were sidelined for months due to injuries like whiplash.
- The custom chip is a 5nm ASIC chip.
- The chip is for the Ojai robotaxi.
- The chip processes raw data before it reaches the core self-driving system.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Autonomous vehicle companies are pursuing different strategies for commercialization and scaling. Wayve is focusing on partnerships with automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis, while Waymo is concentrating its robotaxi deployment in specific geographic areas and expanding its user base.
Waymo released updated safety data, reporting its driverless cars experienced 82% fewer injury-causing crashes compared to human drivers over 271 million miles. This data aims to support the expansion of autonomous vehicle operations by addressing safety concerns from policymakers and the public.
Waymo and Zoox robotaxis caused dozens of test driver injuries in 2026 due to sudden stops and errors, according to OSHA data. This raises questions about the immediate feasibility and safety of self-driving vehicles, despite claims of fewer overall accidents compared to human drivers.
The "Waymo effect" describes how technologies that remove human interaction, like autonomous vehicles, are perceived as beneficial due to convenience, but may inadvertently decrease collaboration. This trend is concerning for research leaders as it could diminish the unseen benefits of human friction in professional interactions.
Test drivers for Waymo and Zoox reported more than two dozen injuries in 2024 and 2025 due to hard braking and sudden movements by autonomous vehicles, according to OSHA data. These incidents highlight a safety concern for human operators involved in the development of self-driving technology, potentially extending beyond these two companies.
Waymo has developed a custom 5nm ASIC chip for its Ojai robotaxis, designed to process large volumes of raw data before it reaches the core self-driving system. This vertical integration aims to improve efficiency and performance, supporting Waymo's expansion and goal of profitability.
Waymo has disclosed key details about the custom computing hardware, including its silicon chip, that powers its autonomous robotaxis. This revelation provides insight into the technology enabling Waymo's driverless operations, which currently involve 4,000 vehicles across more than 10 cities.