The estimated figure will be calculated similar to how a startup's value is calculated. There is some assumption made based on current market size, say the tota

The estimated figure will be calculated similar to how a startup's value is calculated. There is some assumption made based on current market size, say the total car sales, and potential market growth. They then work backwards to calculate the estimated value of such technology at present date. As for making the figure public and it is pure speculation. It might be an attempt to reflect this on Waymo being greedy - as you might have noticed the by line "just for starters". Most people tend to read headlines and not content. Secondly it might give them an edge during jury selection for the trial.