Chipmakers AMD, Arm and Qualcomm have announced they are investing $60 million in British autonomous driving technology startup Wayve. This investment is an expansion of the recent Series D funding in which the company has already raised an impressive $1.2 billion, bringing the total raised to nearly $1.3 billion.
Wayve has previously attracted an impressive list of strategic investors, including automotive giants such as Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Stellantis and tech giants such as Nvidia, Microsoft and Uber. The involvement of AMD, Arm and Qualcomm’s investment arm, however, is not only financial in nature. It is a strategic move that will allow Wayve to adapt and integrate its technology into a wide range of computing platforms that power modern vehicles.
A unique approach to artificial intelligence
What sets Wayve apart from competitors like Waymo is an approach that doesn’t rely on specific sensors, chips or pre-made, detailed, high-resolution maps. Instead, Wayve’s software uses a so-called end-to-end a neural network that learns to drive solely on the basis of data collected from sensors already present on the vehicle. This means that their system can be adapted to different vehicles and environments without the need for extensive localized training.
This flexibility is key for automakers, and that’s exactly what Wayve co-founder and CEO Alex Kendall emphasized.
“In order for embodied artificial intelligence to be deployed globally, automakers need design freedom and supply chain flexibility. Expanding our relationships with leading semiconductor companies helps us achieve this on a global scale,” said Kendall.
The startup offers its technology through two main products. One is the “eyes on the road” driver assistance system (ADAS), which requires the driver to remain alert and ready to take control. The second is a fully automated “no eyes on the road” system, intended for robotaxis or private vehicles that can operate independently in certain conditions. Nissan has already announced that it will integrate Wayve’s technology into its cars from 2027, and Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis also plan to use their solutions in future models.
This investment confirms a broader trend in the automotive industry – an ever-deepening collaboration between technology companies and traditional car manufacturers. The development of advanced systems for autonomous driving requires enormous computing power, and companies such as AMD, Arm and Qualcomm are at the very center of this technological revolution. The support of these giants positions Wayve as one of the key European players in the global race for the future of transportation.