For drivers looking for a more relaxed commute, a new automated driving system is on the horizon. Chipmaker Qualcomm has partnered with German car giant BMW to create this hands-free technology. It’s a big step for Qualcomm, which is best known for making smartphone chips.
The new system is called Snapdragon Ride Pilot Automated Driving System. It helps drivers by taking over some tasks, like hands-free driving on certain roads. It can even change lanes for you. But don’t get too excited; it won’t let your car drive completely by itself.
While BMW helped develop the system, Qualcomm’s CEO, Cristiano Amon, shared some exciting news this week. He explained that this technology isn’t just for BMW. Qualcomm plans to offer the system to other car makers too. Amon mentioned that the company has made good progress talking with others. He added that they aren’t quite ready to announce any new partnerships yet.
Amon spoke to CNBC, saying everyone was waiting to see how the system performed on real streets. He believes that once other car makers see how well it works and how competitive it is, a big change will follow. He called it a “domino effect” for the industry. The BMW iX3 will be the first car to feature this tech, launching in 60 countries. By 2026, the system should be available in 100 countries.
Qualcomm’s Shift Beyond Phones
While Qualcomm still makes most of its money from smartphone chips for companies like Samsung and Xiaomi, CEO Cristiano Amon is keen to explore new areas. He’s pushing the company into PC chips, data center parts, and especially, cars. Amon sees the car industry as a smart move for the chip maker.
Qualcomm’s automotive business brought in almost a billion dollars in the quarter that ended in June. That’s a strong 21% increase from the year before. The company expects its car-related earnings to hit eight billion dollars by the fiscal year 2029. Qualcomm is designing chips for many different car systems, even for the entertainment screens inside the vehicle. This week, they also announced a new partnership with Google Cloud. This will let car makers build their own digital helpers.