Qualcomm Technologies’ (QCOM) aggressive push into the automotive space continues.
After revealing a partnership with BMW Global (BMW) to launch an automated driving (AD) system that the two companies spent three years developing together, the company announced on Monday that it is teaming with Alphabet’s Google Cloud (GOOG) to help automakers build and deploy multimodal, hybrid edge-to-cloud AI agents.
The two companies will utilize Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent, which is powered by Google’s Gemini models, with Qualcomm Technologies’ suite of Snapdragon Digital Chassis.
The Automotive AI Agent enables automakers to rapidly create multimodal agents – and by integrating it with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions, it gives automakers the tools needed to create and deliver customizable AI experience through conversational, personalized agents in the vehicle.
The Snapdragon Digital Chassis is a suite of connected hardware and software platforms by Qualcomm that integrates systems for digital cockpits, driver-assistance, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The platform is designed for continuous, cloud-based upgrades.
The aim of the collaboration is to help automakers reduce their system development times by providing them with “an optimized reference architecture and prebuilt capabilities for essential use cases.”
These use cases include conversational navigation, vehicle controls and media and entertainment. Automakers can also create branded and interactive experiences through Google’s Gemini.
The tools are designed to evolve as Google’s Gemini models advance in agentic capabilities and the company continues making investments in multi-modal AI models.
Qualcomm’s stock has gained 4.3% for the year, while Alphabet is up nearly 23%.
“The automotive industry is on the verge of major transformation driven by breakthroughs in generative AI and software-defined vehicles,” said Nakul Duggal, group general manager, automotive and industrial & embedded IoT at Qualcomm.
“Our technology collaboration with Google Cloud marks a significant milestone in unlocking new possibilities for automakers, empowering them to create digitally advanced and personalized experiences for their customers.”
Google and Qualcomm first collaborated on building solutions for automakers in 2016, when the former’s Android operating system was embedded and powered by the latter’s Snapdragon technology.
This earliest collaboration was aimed at developing in-car infotainment, but has then expanded to include AI-enabled cockpit systems with integrated voice control and navigation.
The two companies have also teamed to work on scaling Android Automotive OS updates across the industry.
Shiv Venkataraman, VP of applied AI for Google Cloud, said the latest collaboration is a “clear example of how our joint innovation is accelerating the future of mobility” by delivering “a secure, brand-owned platform that allows automakers to design advanced AI companions capable of multi-modal, multi-lingual, and multi-intent capabilities.”
Qualcomm CFO Akash Palkhiwala told CNBC last month that the company is pursuing “a very aggressive strategy of diversification and growth.”
“We’re looking to grow outside handsets into automotive, where I would argue we’re one of the most important chip suppliers going forward to that industry,” he said.
The diversification is necessary as its partnership providing chips for Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone will end in 2027 as Apple begins building chips in-house.
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