Google Orders Intel’s 18A-P Chips for TPUs as Uber Targets Waymo with 35,000 Robotaxis
Google has placed orders for Intel’s 18A-P chips to power its TPU data-center accelerators, leveraging the 18A node to boost efficiency and performance on its AI infrastructure. Uber plans a mid-2027 launch of robotaxi service in Houston with Lucid and Nuro, committing 35,000 vehicles across markets to directly compete with Waymo’s autonomous operations.
1. Google Partners with Intel for 18A-P Chips
Google has placed its first orders for Intel’s newly ramped 18A-P node, marking the chip’s initial production. These 18A-P wafers will be used in Google’s TPU accelerators to support large-scale AI training and inference workloads in its data centers.
2. Enhancing TPU Performance
The 18A-P process offers higher transistor density and greater power efficiency versus the standard 18A node, enabling Google to deliver faster model training times and lower energy costs. This upgrade aligns with Alphabet’s drive to optimize its cloud infrastructure and expand AI services.
3. Uber’s Robotaxi Launch in Houston
Uber has secured a multiyear lease on a 50,000-square-foot depot in Houston, equipped with 40 fast chargers and 15 maintenance bays. The company will deploy driverless Lucid and Nuro vehicles in mid-2027 as part of a broader commitment to operate at least 35,000 robotaxis across major U.S. markets.
4. Competitive Pressure on Waymo
Uber’s expansion into Houston directly challenges Google’s Waymo unit in the fourth-largest U.S. city, where Waymo currently operates independently. The scaled deployment underscores intensifying rivalry in autonomous mobility and could pressure Alphabet to accelerate its own fleet growth and partnerships.
