Qualcomm on Tuesday said it was teaming up with Alphabet’s Google to offer a combination of chips and software. This Qualcomm Alphabet automotive partnership will let automakers develop their own AI voice assistants using technology from the two firms. Qualcomm’s chips have long powered mobile phones with Google’s Android operating system and the company has expanded into the automotive business.
(Image Credit: qualcomm)
This Qualcomm AI chips shall power both a car’s dashboard and automated driving systems that are used by General Motors and others. On Tuesday, Qualcomm said it is working with Google to create a version of the company’s Android Automotive OS that will run smoothly on Qualcomm chips.
Google’s Android Automotive OS
Google’s Android Automotive OS is an offering that automakers use behind the scenes to power a vehicle computing systems. Google and Qualcomm and said automakers will be able to use the joint offering and Google’s AI technology to create voice assistants that are unique to an automaker and can work without relying on a driver’s phone.
Qualcomm and Alphabet partnership
Qualcomm has established a strategic alliance with Alphabet’s Google to supply automakers with powerful AI voice assistants based on the firms’ combined semiconductor and software technology. This Qualcomm Alphabet AI deal will allow manufacturers to create their own personalized voice assistants by combining Qualcomm Snapdragon CPUs and Google AI technology into their vehicle systems.
Qualcomm on AI partnership with Alphabet
Qualcomm and Google announced that automakers will be able to use their joint offering. Along with Google’s AI technology to create unique voice assistants that operate independently of the driver’s phone.
Nakul Duggal, Qualcomm’s group manager for automotive, explained that while Qualcomm and Google have typically operated together but independently, they plan to rethink their collaboration to reduce friction and confusion for customers.
Mercedes and Qualcomm chip deal
In addition to the Alphabet Google partnership, Qualcomm has unveiled two new chips for automotive applications: Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite. The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite is designed to power vehicle dashboards and improve interface with vehicles. The Snapdragon Ride Elite will offer autonomous driving features. Mercedes-Benz plans to use the Snapdragon Cockpit Elite chip in future vehicles. Qualcomm nor Mercedes have specified when or in which models the chips would be used.
