Samsung would supply 5G chips to Tesla's Robotaxis

Samsung is ready to become a provider of 5G modem chips for Tesla's electric vehicles, starting with its Robotaxi line in Texas, United States. This was announced by The Elec. Although the South Korean company already supplied components to Tesla, this will be the first time it supplies 5G connectivity chips to the electric car manufacturer, marking a milestone in the collaboration between the two companies.

5G Technology for Tesla Robotaxis: Development and Adaptation

Samsung's System LSI division, in charge of designing logic chips, has completed the development of the Exynos 5G modem and is currently conducting tests to integrate it into Tesla's Robotaxis. This chip of the latest generation will allow Tesla's autonomous vehicles to have high-speed connectivity, a key element for the operation and real-time communication of autonomous driving systems.

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The development of this connectivity chip began in early 2024 and concluded last year, highlighting the challenges faced by the automotive sector compared to the mobile telephony sector.

Vehicle chips must guarantee optimal performance under high-temperature conditions, constant vibrations, and a lifespan of at least a decade. To meet these requirements, Samsung implemented manufacturing processes different from those used in chips for phones and tablets.

Until now, Tesla had used 5G modem chips manufactured by Qualcomm. However, with the transition to Samsung's 5G modems, the company seeks to reduce its dependence on suppliers from China and Taiwan.

The goal is to opt for components that can be produced in South Korea or the United States, thereby strengthening their supply chain and minimizing geopolitical risks.

AI Chip Manufacturing Agreements for Tesla

The alliance between Samsung and Tesla is not limited to 5G connectivity. Samsung has recently closed a deal for $16.5 billion to manufacture AI6 chips for Tesla, using its 2-nanometer process node at the Taylor, Texas plant. Furthermore, the South Korean company also produces some of Tesla's AI5 chips at its 4-nanometer node in the United States, solidifying a strategic relationship in the field of artificial intelligence and automotive technology. In this way, the integration of 5G chips developed by Samsung in Tesla's Robotaxis represents not only a technological advance, but also a key move in the strategy of both companies to lead innovation in electric and autonomous vehicles.

This is Cybercab, the new fully autonomous Tesla without pedals or steering wheel

Tesla has unveiled the Cybercab, an electric vehicle designed from scratch to operate completely autonomously, dispensing entirely with a steering wheel, pedals, and side mirrors. This model, which marks a new chapter in urban mobility, will be manufactured from April 2025 at the Austin, Texas plant.

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Conceived as the company's first car optimized for driving without human intervention, the Cybercab seeks to revolutionize the concept of robotaxi. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, emphasized that the new vehicle “doesn't even have pedals or a steering wheel”, a decision that also includes the absence of side mirrors. The elimination of these elements responds to the strategy of minimizing the operating cost per kilometer in autonomous mode, discarding components traditionally indispensable in conventional cars. The design is oriented towards simplicity and efficiency, with the intention of making the robotaxi service economically viable without the need for human supervision.