Qualcomm teams up with BMW for hands-free driving

Qualcomm is joining forces with BMW on a new driver-assist system that will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel on approved roads.

Qualcomm, which supplies infotainment, driver-assist, and telematics systems to a variety of automakers, is looking to raise its portfolio in the auto industry, as more car companies turn to advanced processors and chips to power high-tech features. The San Diego-based chipmaker says it currently has $45 billion in future revenue in its automotive pipeline right now.

Now it’s teaming up with BMW to bring hands-free driving and more advanced autonomous features to more vehicles. The two companies jointly developed the new software system, which signals a growing role for automakers in the development of their autonomous systems. It’s built on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride system-on-a-chip using this jointly developed software stack. And Qualcomm says it was built “to meet the highest safety standards,” citing the European Union’s New Car Assessment Programme for Level 2 Plus systems.

These systems are similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving, GM’s Super Cruise, and Ford’s BlueCruise, insofar as they allow drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel and feet from the pedals on approved roads. (Different auto brands have different rules about when this is allowed, and for how long.)

The system, which Qualcomm calls its Snapdragon Ride Pilot, made its debut at the Munich auto show today in the BMW iX3, which is the German automaker’s first “Neue Klasse” next-gen electric vehicle. Qualcomm says the system has been validated for use in more than 60 countries, with plans to expand to over 100 in 2026. Snapdragon Ride Pilot will be made available to all automakers and Tier-1 suppliers.

While most hands-free systems are marketed as convenience features, Qualcomm says its new driver-assist features should also help improve safety. “That’s why we believe at Qualcomm that ADAS [advanced driver-assist systems] and automated driving should be as prevalent as seatbelts,” Qualcomm VP for product marketing Ignacio Contreras said in a recent briefing, “not only for the safety benefits that it brings to the car, but also for the convenience and productivity improvements that technology brings to users worldwide.”

Qualcomm says the new software will ensure that the driver stays engaged with the road using the vehicle’s monitoring system. “The system has the built-in redundancy from that perspective,” said Dheeraj Ahuja, the company’s head of autonomous driving. “It has multiple algorithms trying to make these decisions as safe as possible. However, life on the road is quite chaotic at times, and this is where the driver engagement is very important.”