Qualcomm Partners with Google to Develop AI Digital Cockpit Solutions

Qualcomm is set to collaborate with Google to develop generative AI digital cockpits and software-defined vehicles.

Global semiconductor giant Qualcomm has announced a significant partnership with Google to develop more intelligent automotive experiences for both drivers and passengers. Announced during the firm’s Snapdragon Summit 2024 earlier this week, this partnership will see both tech giants working together to produce a standardised reference framework for the development of generative AI-enabled digital cockpits and software-defined vehicles (SDV).

The two companies will leverage complementary technologies from the Qualcomm Snapdragon’s Digital Chassis as well as Google’s Android Automotive OS (Android Auto) and Google Cloud to produce a new standardised reference platform for the development of cockpit solutions using generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI).

Underpinning the delivery of this framework will be Google’s Gemini Nano AI model, where it will be used to create Gen AI-enabled in-car experiences powered by Snapdragon’s heterogeneous edge AI system-on-chips (SoCs), such as the Qualcomm AI Studio SDK with Qualcomm AI Orchestrator.

Some of the key elements to be touched from this technology collaboration include the development of an upgradeable, automotive-grade framework, the pre-integration of built-in Android Auto software and services to provide customisable and responsive voice user interfaces, as well as the usage of Qualcomm AI Orchestrator and plug-in frameworks to allow ease of application development and enablement of enterprise services.

Besides the generative AI-enabled digital cockpit framework, both companies will also work on a unified framework for SDV development with vehicle-to-cloud infrastructure based on foundational technologies from both companies. The framework enables Google Cloud-hosted automotive software development to be optimised for Snapdragon platforms, increasing developer productivity while reducing time to market for Android Auto OS platform and services.

“Our technology collaboration with Google to drive innovation and develop cutting-edge, Gen AI-enabled solutions is a significant milestone in unlocking new possibilities for automakers and Tier-1 suppliers while empowering the industry to create safe and digitally advanced experiences.,” said Nakul Duggal, Qualcomm’s Group General Manager, Automotive, Industrial, and Cloud Computing.

Mercedes-Benz will be one of the first automakers to adopt Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Cockpit Elite SOC.

This partnership between Qualcomm and Google was announced following the unveiling of two new Snapdragon chipsets, namely the Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and the Snapdragon Ride Elite. The former is designed to power the infotainment system in cars, while the latter is aimed at delivering self-driving features for cars, with Mercedes-Benz at the forefront to become the first automaker to adopt these new chipsets.