Qualcomm & Google Collaborate on AI-Powered Digital Cockpits for Cars

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. has announced a multi-year collaboration with Google to advance digital transformation in the automotive sector. The partnership will leverage Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis™ and Google’s in-vehicle technologies to create a standardized framework for developing Generative AI-enabled digital cockpits and software-defined vehicles (SDV).

Co-Innovation to Accelerate Digital Cockpit Solutions

This collaboration aims to create a reference platform that will simplify the development of AI-powered cockpit experiences, such as voice assistants, immersive mapping, and real-time updates for drivers. These AI-enabled in-car experiences will be powered by Google’s AI technologies and Snapdragon® edge AI system-on-chips (SoCs), along with Qualcomm’s AI Hub, which facilitates the deployment of AI models for vision, audio, and speech applications.

According to Nakul Duggal, general manager of automotive, industrial, and cloud at Qualcomm Technologies, “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. We’re excited to lead the go-to-market efforts leveraging our ecosystem of partners to enable a seamless development experience for our customers.”

Revolutionizing Automotive with Generative AI

The integration of Generative AI and in-vehicle technologies signals a major transformation in the automotive industry. Patrick Brady, VP of Engineering at Google, noted that the industry is on the cusp of significant change, driven by advancements in automated driving solutions and the ability to continually update software features throughout a vehicle’s lifecycle.

“We look forward to extending our longstanding relationship with Qualcomm Technologies with this strategic collaboration to continue developing innovative solutions for software defined vehicles, and to showcase the power of co-innovation in propelling the future of transportation,” Brady said.

Key Aspects of the Collaboration

• Gen AI-Enabled Digital Cockpit Framework: Qualcomm and Google are developing an upgradeable, automotive-grade framework to enhance in-car experiences with real-time AI-driven updates and customizable voice interfaces powered by Google’s generative AI. These features will utilize Snapdragon SoCs for edge optimization.

• Unified SDV Car-to-Cloud Framework: The partnership will also create a unified vehicle-to-cloud infrastructure for SDV development, optimized for Snapdragon platforms and hosted on Google Cloud. This unified approach will streamline the development of Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS) software and services, increasing developer productivity and reducing time to market.

• Snapdragon Connected Services Platform: By leveraging Google Cloud, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Connected Services Platform will enable an API-driven model, allowing seamless integration of onboard and offboard vehicle connectivity and upgradeable services.

Looking Ahead

The partnership between Qualcomm and Google marks a significant step in the evolution of software-defined vehicles and generative AI in the automotive industry. By combining their expertise, the companies aim to empower automakers to accelerate development cycles and launch connected services more efficiently. As this collaboration unfolds, automakers and Tier-1 suppliers will benefit from a standardized, flexible framework that simplifies development and enhances in-car digital experiences for drivers.