Waymo put its own processor into robotaxis. Nvidia opened talks with Rebellions and bought into Cloverleaf, while opposition to a nearby data centre rose from 42 percent to 75 percent in a year.
Waymo has begun using its own processor for sensor data and driving models in its newest robotaxis. The part is built by TSMC on a 5-nanometer process, exceeds 1,000 TOPS, and is reported to be roughly level with Nvidia's current self-driving platforms. Alphabet's unit says cost is the main reason for a choice that reduces purchases from Nvidia and AMD. The chip will also go into the new vehicle Waymo is developing with Chinese manufacturer Zeekr.[1]
Nvidia is in early talks with Korean inference-chip designer Rebellions about a technical partnership, investment, or acquisition, and the sources caution that the discussions may produce nothing. The company also formed a partnership with Cloverleaf Infrastructure, which arranges power and site groundwork between utilities and data centres, and took a minority stake. The deal's terms, capacity, and site were not disclosed. Both moves extend Nvidia's partner search beyond the chips in the AI-compute chain.[2], [3]
In the Heatmap News survey conducted with Embold Research, opposition to a data centre being built nearby rose from 42 percent to 75 percent in a year, with 61 percent strongly opposed. A year earlier, 43 percent had been in favour. A separate Gallup poll in May put opposition at 71 percent. Respondents pointed to local power costs, water use, and land use, while data centres are also becoming a more visible campaign issue.[4]
