In a bid to streamline and expedite the process of linking vehicles to the cloud, American powerhouses Qualcomm and AWS have announced their collaboration. The joint venture, disclosed at the IAA Mobility trade show, is set to revolutionize the automotive landscape by infusing it with unprecedented software control.
The partnership is a strategic move for both parties, each holding high stakes in the emerging tech arena. AWS, known as the leading public cloud player globally, is keen on promoting such progressive innovations. Equally, Qualcomm is endeavoring to position itself as the key chip provider for this burgeoning industry. The collaboration offers auto firms the unique opportunity to fine-tune Qualcomm’s software stack, powering a vehicle’s advanced safety and computer vision systems, via cloud prior to installing it in a car.
“Software-defined development in automotive is increasingly prevalent, requiring automakers, Tier 1s and automotive developers to ramp up efforts and find novel ways of accelerating the vehicle design process,” emphasized Wendy Bauer, GM of Automotive and Manufacturing at AWS. While advancing at a rapid pace, the tech giants also ensure the industry’s future growth. Bauer feels confident, “that the industry will benefit for years to come” as they learn from each other and assist mutual customers like BMW.
Echoing Bauer’s sentiment, Nakul Duggal, GM of automotive & cloud computing at Qualcomm, stated, “AWS’s breadth of services and capabilities help unlock new possibilities for transformation in the industry. Through our technology collaboration with AWS, we’ll share best practices and deliver on our joint vision of collaborative automotive innovation.”
Further news from the trade show was dominated by the Snapdragon Digital Chassis portfolio, optimized to cover a wider range of vehicle types. This technology bank is an umbrella term for Qualcomm’s diverse auto sub-brands designed to enhance car safety and infotainment.
A snapshot of the announcements included collaborations with renowned carmakers like BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Jaguar Land Rover. However, the advanced features are not limited to high-end car brands, with contracts signed with Indian SUV producer Mahindra. Given the scale of the developments, the technology is expected to hit the roads by 2025, marking a new era in automotive technology.
