Qualcomm is advancing its connected car efforts, revealing a string of deals with household names like Google, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
First, Qualcomm is teaming up with Google Cloud to give your car an intelligence boost. The plan is to blend Google’s Gemini AI models with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis hardware so drivers can forget the clunky voice commands of yesteryear.
This new generation of in-car AI will be able to handle complex conversations, understand multiple requests at once, and even anticipate what you need.
Because it uses a smart hybrid approach – blending the car’s own processing power with the cloud – the in-car AI solution aims to be both fast and powerful, delivering a personalised and helpful experience for everyone inside.
“AI will fundamentally redefine the carmaker’s ability to provide experiences in and around the car, making it more intuitive, personalised, and helpful for drivers and passengers,” explained Shiv Venkataraman, VP of Applied AI at Google Cloud.
Automated driving you can actually use
While Google is upgrading the brain of these next-gen connected cars, Qualcomm’s three-year collaboration with BMW is giving it the reflexes to match. The result is the Snapdragon Ride Pilot, a new automated driving system that just made its debut in BMW’s futuristic iX3, the first of its ‘Neue Klasse’ vehicles.
The system is built to handle everything from standard safety assists to Level 2+ hands-free driving on motorways and navigating urban traffic on autopilot.
To achieve this autonomy, the car uses a complete 360-degree view of its surroundings – built from a suite of cameras and radar sensors – to detect objects, recognise lanes, and understand its environment.
Dr Mihiar Ayoubi, SVP Development Driving Experience at BMW Group, said: “Together with Qualcomm Technologies, we’ve created a groundbreaking system, which is a significant contribution to the big technological leap we take with our Neue Klasse.
“Smart, symbiotic, and safe is the core of the BMW philosophy when it comes to ADAS. Our new BMW iX3 will deliver this on an unprecedented level.”
Qualcomm is powering the future connected car cockpit, today
Qualcomm’s technology is also powering the connected digital cockpits inside the latest Mercedes-Benz cars. The all-electric CLA and the new electric GLC both use the Snapdragon Digital Chassis to create what is essentially a multimedia hub on wheels.
The powerful Snapdragon Cockpit Platform drives the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), supporting multiple crisp, high-resolution displays, 3D augmented reality navigation that overlays directions onto a live view of the road, and even gaming.
As with everything in 2025, the system uses AI to learn your habits and offer helpful suggestions while creating a highly personalised journey for every occupant. With Qualcomm’s audio tech and Dolby Atmos, it also delivers an immersive sound experience.
Magnus Östberg, Chief Software Officer at Mercedes-Benz AG, commented: “The integration of the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform as a core component of our proprietary operating system MB.OS enables us to offer our customers a seamlessly connected, high-performance in-car experience in our latest vehicle generations.”
Bringing advanced tech to more cars
To ensure these connected car innovations don’t just stay in the premium segment, Qualcomm is also deepening its partnership with global automotive supplier Valeo.
By combining Snapdragon’s processing power and software with Valeo’s expertise in sensors, automatic parking systems, and integration, the two are creating a ready-made solution for car manufacturers.
This collaboration provides automakers with a pre-integrated package that includes sensors, computers, and software to support features like hands-off driving and automated parking. This makes it easier, faster, and more efficient for manufacturers to bring next-generation driving experiences to the market across a wider range of vehicles.
Marc Vrecko, CEO of Valeo Brain, said: “Together, we are delivering a full system solution that integrates best-in-class hardware, software, and system expertise—empowering automakers with a flexible, future-ready platform that meets the evolving expectations of drivers worldwide.”
Through these wide-ranging partnerships, Qualcomm isn’t just participating in advancing connected cars; it’s providing the digital foundation for it.
See also: Research finds human limit to overseeing self-driving cars
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