Poor waymo, having to pivot to selling peripherals it developed ever since dad cut the purse strings. I wonder how this bodes for their long term plan? From what I understand, Alphabet is getting less and less bullish on a lot of these moonshots.
Each component should compete in the market place.
If there are better components out there, your divisions should be able to buy them instead of internally developed ones.
If a competitor can use your components better and build something better, they should etc.
If a competitor can provide better intermediate products using your components, buy them and incorporate them in your system.
You only have to be one of the best at one thing, and you should be the one of the best at a few things, and you could be one of the best at many things.