Qualcomm and BMW launch automated driving system on the market

The German car manufacturer BMW and the US chip manufacturer Qualcomm have presented a jointly developed system for automated driving. The AI-enabled automated driving assistance system Snapdragon Ride Pilot is based on Snapdragon Ride system-on-chips and a new, jointly developed software for automated driving. It was developed by the two companies in a three-year collaboration and is making its debut in the brand new BMW iX3 electric car, which has just been unveiled.

Technically, Snapdragon Ride Pilot relies on a combination of high-resolution 8-megapixel and 3-megapixel cameras as well as radar sensors that allow 360-degree coverage. This is complemented by high-resolution mapping and precise GNSS localization. According to a Qualcomm press release, the driving system thus enables hands-free driving on highways, automatic lane changes and parking assistance. However, the driver remains responsible for monitoring the vehicle; it is therefore not a fully autonomous driving assistance system. According to Qualcomm, more than 1,400 specialists from Germany, the USA, Sweden, Romania and the BMW AD Test Center in the Czech Republic worked together for three years to develop the automated driving system.

The system is currently validated for use in 60 countries worldwide and is expected to be available in more than 100 countries by 2026. Qualcomm announced that Snapdragon Ride Pilot is now available globally for automakers and Tier 1 suppliers that provide complete systems or critical components directly to automakers.

(akn)