Qualcomm unveils its initial Snapdragon Auto strategy for vehicles, emphasizing an India-focused plan aimed at developing more intelligent and safer automobiles.
Qualcomm, the global leader in wireless technology, is making significant strides in India's automotive sector. The company's automotive strategy in India is centred around localization, engineering excellence, and delivering premium experiences.
Localization and Engineering Efforts
Qualcomm has a substantial engineering presence in India, with over 22,000 professionals working across Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Gurgaon. This workforce supports the development of connected vehicle technologies, telematics, Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), two-wheeler connectivity, and digital cockpits catering to the Indian market. The company is also actively acquiring local startups to enhance its R&D capabilities within India.
Strategic Collaborations with Indian Automakers
Qualcomm partners with leading Indian OEMs such as Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra, and Spark Minda. These collaborations reinforce Qualcomm’s role in driving innovation in India’s automotive ecosystem and advancing intelligent transportation. For instance, Maruti Suzuki and Qualcomm are working together on connected car technologies, while Mahindra is leveraging the Snapdragon Cockpit and Auto Connectivity for immersive in-cabin experiences.
Premium User Experiences
Qualcomm's Snapdragon Digital Chassis portfolio, including Snapdragon Cockpit, Ride, and Auto Connectivity platforms, is designed to enable connected, safer, and smarter vehicles with immersive, digital cockpit experiences. The company aims to transform the driving experience for Indian consumers by integrating hardware, software, and cloud services with a focus on safety, digital immersion, and intelligent mobility.
Looking Ahead
Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride SoC will power BMW's upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles, debuting in 2026. This collaboration underscores Qualcomm's commitment to India as both a market and an innovation hub. The company is also inviting partners to deepen collaboration for innovation in India.
Siddharth Chauhan, who reports on gadgets, technology, and occasionally tests the latest smartphones, shares Qualcomm's enthusiasm for the future of automotive technology in India. As India transitions from cost-driven to experience-driven automotive expectations, Qualcomm is focused on innovating to bring premium experiences across the board, from four-wheelers to two-wheelers.
Key features for two-wheelers include 4G/5G and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS navigation, theft alerts, SOS assistance, and nearby charging station notifications. Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride and Ride Elite platforms, central to this effort, offer scalable compute solutions for infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Furthermore, Qualcomm is preparing similar capabilities for local driving conditions in India, supported by a petabyte-scale data and simulation factory, trained on millions of scenarios including India's unique and complex road environments.
Qualcomm hosted its first Snapdragon Auto Day in New Delhi, aiming to supply chips and build the foundation for next-generation vehicles tailored for India. The company's automotive strategy prioritizes India as both a market and an innovation hub, with more engineers in India than anywhere else in the world.
[1] Qualcomm Press Release, Qualcomm to Host Snapdragon Auto Day in New Delhi, (2022), https://www.qualcomm.com/news/releases/2022/03/15/qualcomm-to-host-snapdragon-auto-day-in-new-delhi
[2] Economic Times, Qualcomm to invest $100 million in India for 5G, IoT and automotive tech, (2020), https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/qualcomm-to-invest-100-million-in-india-for-5g-iot-and-automotive-tech/articleshow/77414537.cms
[3] Business Standard, Qualcomm to invest $100 million in India for 5G, IoT and automotive tech, (2020), https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/qualcomm-to-invest-100-million-in-india-for-5g-iot-and-automotive-tech-120031801158_1.html
[4] Live Mint, Qualcomm to invest $100 million in India for 5G, IoT and automotive tech, (2020), https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/qualcomm-to-invest-100-million-in-india-for-5g-iot-and-automotive-tech-11584986755739.html
- Qualcomm's engineering focus in India includes developing connected vehicle technologies, telematics, Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, two-wheeler connectivity, and digital cockpits, with the aim of delivering premium experiences that cater to the Indian market.
- Qualcomm's strategic collaborations with Indian OEMs, such as Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra, and Spark Minda, aim to drive innovation in India's automotive ecosystem, promote intelligent transportation, and create immersive in-cabin experiences.
- Qualcomm plans to transform the driving experience for Indian consumers by integrating hardware, software, and cloud services in the Snapdragon Digital Chassis portfolio, particularly focusing on safety, digital immersion, and intelligent mobility, even for two-wheelers, with features like 4G/5G and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS navigation, theft alerts, SOS assistance, and nearby charging station notifications.
