Qualcomm is advancing its automotive ambitions with a new driver-assist system developed alongside BMW, indicating growing interest from other car manufacturers in licensing the technology.
The Snapdragon Ride Pilot Automated Driving System enables hands-free driving on select roads and supports automatic lane changes, though it is not fully autonomous.
Launching first on the BMW iX3 and set to be available in over 100 countries by 2026, the system serves as a demonstration for wider adoption.
“Everybody’s been waiting for this moment, including ourselves, because people wanted to see how it performs in the street,” said Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon. He expects a “domino effect” as other manufacturers recognise its competitiveness.
Though negotiations with other automakers are underway, no official deals have been announced. Qualcomm is expanding beyond smartphone chips by focusing on automotive technologies, a division that generated nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter and is projected to reach $8 billion by 2029.
The company is also partnering with Google Cloud to help carmakers develop bespoke digital assistants to offer fully integrated software and hardware solutions.
Qualcomm’s move comes as traditional European carmakers face pressure to catch up with Chinese rivals in autonomous driving.