Smart glasses and wearables have been getting a lot of attention, but the automotive industry is poised to be the largest and most impactful new category of personal devices. With the shift to software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and advances in assisted and autonomous driving, cars are set to become the “next big thing” for the tech sector.

AI is playing a significant role in advancing the car market, with Qualcomm unveiling next-gen versions of its automotive-focused chips, Snapdragon Cockpit Elite, and Snapdragon Ride Elite, designed for infotainment and assisted/autonomous driving features in premium vehicles.

The Snapdragon chips are part of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis, featuring the Oryon CPU architecture that offers a major leap in performance and power efficiency. These chips enable more AI capabilities in vehicles, enhancing infotainment and driving features.

The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite chip supports up to 16 high-resolution displays in the car, while the Ride Elite chip supports over 40 multimodal sensors for safer driving. Both chips offer substantial improvements in CPU, GPU, and NPU performance.

These advancements in automotive computing support more sophisticated AI models, leading to better autonomous driving capabilities. Qualcomm focuses on enhancing the experience of human-monitored driving rather than claiming full autonomy prematurely.

The chips also adhere to critical safety standards for software-defined vehicles, ensuring safe operation in case of digital component failure. Qualcomm’s efforts in automotive computing aim to diversify its product line and revenue streams, with partnerships established with major car manufacturers.

Qualcomm’s investment in CPU technology is leveraged across multiple areas, from PCs to smartphones to cars. By integrating a similar NPU architecture and developing cloud-based AI software, Qualcomm is paving the way for innovative applications across devices.

Overall, Qualcomm’s strategy emphasizes the integration of AI throughout its efforts, building towards a future that is both imminent and promising.