Tesla has worked with AMD to build its own chip for its autonomous driving efforts, according to a report from CNBC.
A source familiar with the matter told CNBC that Tesla is currently testing the first implementation of the processor.
The project is reportedly being led by Jim Keller, a longtime chip designer and current head of the Autopilot division. Keller worked at AMD and Apple prior to joining Tesla last year. He was the designer of Apple’s A4 and A5 iPhone chips.
The report says more than 50 people are working on the initiative.
Autopilot hardware currently leverages Nvidia graphics processing units after making a change last year from Mobileye components. Mobileye was acquired this year by Intel, which works closely with Alphabet’s Waymo self-driving efforts.
By designing a chip of its own, Tesla can become less dependent on other companies and achieve greater efficiency with chips designed specifically for the workload of autonomous driving.