Qualcomm is becoming a member of forces with BMW on a brand new driver-assist system that may permit drivers to take their arms off the wheel on accredited roads.
Qualcomm, which provides infotainment, driver-assist, and telematics programs to a variety of automakers, is trying to elevate its portfolio within the auto trade, as extra automotive firms flip to superior processors and chips to energy high-tech options. The San Diego-based chipmaker says it at the moment has $45 billion in future income in its automotive pipeline proper now.
Now it’s teaming up with BMW to convey hands-free driving and extra superior autonomous options to extra automobiles. The 2 firms collectively developed the brand new software program system, which alerts a rising position for automakers within the improvement of their autonomous programs. It’s constructed on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride system-on-a-chip utilizing this collectively developed software program stack. And Qualcomm says it was constructed “to fulfill the very best security requirements,” citing the European Union’s New Automobile Evaluation Programme for Degree 2 Plus programs.
The San Diego-based chipmaker says it at the moment has $45 billion in future income in its automotive pipeline proper now
These programs are much like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving, GM’s Tremendous Cruise, and Ford’s BlueCruise, insofar as they permit drivers to take away their arms from the steering wheel and ft from the pedals on accredited roads. (Totally different auto manufacturers have completely different guidelines about when that is allowed, and for a way lengthy.)
The system, which Qualcomm calls its Snapdragon Trip Pilot, made its debut on the Munich auto present at the moment within the BMW iX3, which is the German automaker’s first “Neue Klasse” next-gen electrical automobile. Qualcomm says the system has been validated to be used in additional than 60 nations, with plans to broaden to over 100 in 2026. Snapdragon Trip Pilot will likely be made obtainable to all automakers and Tier-1 suppliers.
Whereas most hands-free programs are marketed as comfort options, Qualcomm says its new driver-assist options must also assist enhance security. “That’s why we consider at Qualcomm that ADAS [advanced driver-assist systems] and automatic driving must be as prevalent as seatbelts,” Qualcomm VP for product advertising Ignacio Contreras mentioned in a current briefing, “not just for the security advantages that it brings to the automotive, but additionally for the comfort and productiveness enhancements that expertise brings to customers worldwide.”
Qualcomm says the brand new software program will be sure that the motive force stays engaged with the highway utilizing the automobile’s monitoring system. “The system has the built-in redundancy from that perspective,” mentioned Dheeraj Ahuja, the corporate’s head of autonomous driving. “It has a number of algorithms making an attempt to make these choices as secure as potential. Nevertheless, life on the highway is sort of chaotic at occasions, and that is the place the motive force engagement is essential.”