Qualcomm and BMW Unveil AI-Powered Automated Driving System with Snapdragon Ride Pilot and Jointly Developed Software Stack.

Qualcomm and BMW Group have unveiled Snapdragon Ride Pilot, an automated driving system powered by Snapdragon Ride system-on-chips and a jointly developed software stack. The system is validated in 60 countries and targeted to be available in over 100 countries by 2026. Snapdragon Ride Pilot is a scalable platform for cost-efficient single-camera active safety and multi-camera multi-radar L2+ highway and urban automated driving functions. The data-driven stack is continuously updated with global fleet information and is now offered by Qualcomm to all global automakers and Tier-1 suppliers.

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) and BMW Group have announced the launch of Snapdragon Ride Pilot, an advanced automated driving (AD) system. The system, built on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride™ system-on-chips (SoCs) and a co-developed software stack, is set to revolutionize the automotive industry by offering enhanced safety and efficiency.

Snapdragon Ride Pilot is designed to meet the highest safety standards and supports AD levels ranging from entry-level New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) to Level 2+ highway and urban navigation on autopilot (NOA) capabilities. The system has been validated in over 60 countries and is expected to be available in more than 100 countries by 2026. The system's scalability allows for cost-efficient single-camera active safety and multi-camera multi-radar L2+ highway and urban automated driving functions [1].

The Snapdragon Ride AD software stack features a perception stack developed by Qualcomm Technologies and a drive policy engine co-developed with BMW. It is designed to enable automakers and Tier-1 suppliers to build scalable solutions with flexibility, cost savings, and fast time-to-market. The stack is structured into multiple layers, including 360-degree perception and a safety-first approach, ensuring robust performance and compliance with the latest safety regulations [1].

Snapdragon Ride Pilot supports over-the-air (OTA) updates and is fully customizable via the Snapdragon Ride SDK, giving automakers the flexibility to tailor solutions across vehicle segments. The software stack leverages fleet data to evolve and enable enhanced safety and comfort over the life of the vehicle [1].

The system's debut in the all-new BMW iX3, the first production vehicle in BMW’s Neue Klasse, marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between Qualcomm and BMW. The BMW iX3 is equipped with Qualcomm Technologies’ V2X 200 chipset to support vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications for enhanced safety. V2X communications allow vehicles to "see" and "hear" beyond line-of-sight ADAS sensors, helping reduce collisions by uncovering unseen risks through direct communication between vehicles and their surroundings [1].

The development of the Snapdragon Ride AD software stack involved over 1,400 specialists from various locations, including Germany, the USA, Sweden, Romania, and the BMW AD Test Center in the Czech Republic. The collaboration has resulted in a cutting-edge driver assistance system that sets a new benchmark in the industry [1].

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/QCOM/qualcomm-and-bmw-group-unveil-groundbreaking-automated-driving-yruzzoxszmk6.html