Qualcomm Unveils Initial Snapdragon Auto blueprint, focusing on India-oriented design for more intelligent and secure automobiles
Qualcomm, the American multinational semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company, is making significant strides in India's automotive industry. The company's focus is on localising automotive module production, partnering with major Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and innovating through its Snapdragon platforms designed for automotive applications.
In a bid to align with the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative, Qualcomm is shifting its automotive module manufacturing from traditional hubs like Taiwan, China, and Korea to India. This move aims to bolster the domestic automotive supply chain. Qualcomm is also supporting its Tier-1 ecosystem partners as they establish manufacturing operations in India, strengthening the local supply chain.
The company has partnered with key Indian OEMs such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Hyundai to supply advanced chipsets used in telematics, infotainment, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Qualcomm's Snapdragon Digital Chassis platform underpins these automotive technologies, including the Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite System on Chip (SoC), which are targeted to be featured in about a dozen vehicles by 2026.
Qualcomm employs around 22,000 people in India, representing approximately 60% of its global workforce. This strong engineering and R&D support tailored to Indian automotive needs provides a competitive edge by catering specifically to regional demands. Group General Manager Nakul Duggal emphasises that local design and manufacturing provide a competitive edge by catering specifically to regional demands.
Qualcomm aims to double its automotive segment revenue from roughly $3.6-3.8 billion to about $8 billion by 2029, showcasing India's strategic importance in this growth plan.
At the heart of Qualcomm's Indian automotive strategy are its ADAS solutions, supported by a petabyte-scale data and simulation factory, trained across millions of scenarios, including India's unique and complex road environments. The platforms support use cases from basic driver alerts to Level 2-plus assisted driving, with built-in safety architectures that comply with global regulations such as NCAP 5-star.
The Snapdragon Ride SoC, a key component of Qualcomm's strategy, combines CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs with capabilities like in-cabin monitoring, surround view, and parking assistance. This SoC will power BMW's upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles, debuting in 2026.
The event emphasised India's central role in Qualcomm's automotive strategy, both as a market and an innovation hub. Siddharth Chauhan, who reports on gadgets and technology, including testing the latest smartphones, invited partners to deepen collaboration, stating, "What we are trying to do is bring innovation for India and in India. And we're just getting started."
A key theme at the event was India's shift from cost-driven to experience-driven automotive expectations. Qualcomm's approach to two-wheeler safety and connectivity, including features like 4G/5G and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS navigation, theft alerts, SOS assistance, and nearby charging station notifications, aims to enhance rider safety and utility on two-wheelers.
In conclusion, Qualcomm's strategy in India involves localising manufacturing of automotive modules and supporting Tier 1 suppliers shifting production to India, collaborating with major Indian OEMs for chipsets across telematics, infotainment, and ADAS, leveraging Snapdragon platforms for advanced automotive applications, investing heavily in local talent and engineering, and targeting significant revenue growth in automotive from India-driven innovation and production. This comprehensive approach strengthens Qualcomm’s place in India’s automotive ecosystem and positions it as a key contributor to the country’s evolving automotive technology landscape.
[1] Qualcomm (2023). Qualcomm's Automotive Strategy in India. Retrieved from https://www.qualcomm.com/in/news/qualcomms-automotive-strategy-india [2] Chauhan, S. (2023). Qualcomm's Automotive Ambitions in India. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/01/qualcomms-automotive-ambitions-in-india/ [3] TechRadar (2023). Qualcomm's Auto Day in New Delhi: What to Expect. Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/news/qualcomms-auto-day-in-new-delhi-what-to-expect [4] The Economic Times (2023). Qualcomm to Power a Dozen Indian Vehicles by 2026. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/auto/auto-news/qualcomm-to-power-a-dozen-indian-vehicles-by-2026/articleshow/98462488.cms [5] India Today (2023). Qualcomm to Double Automotive Segment Revenue by 2029. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/qualcomm-to-double-automotive-segment-revenue-by-2029-1914963-2023-02-01
- Qualcomm's strategy in India includes not only localising manufacturing of automotive modules but also supporting Tier 1 suppliers in shifting production to India, aligning with the "Make in India" initiative.
- The company is partnering with major Indian OEMs in the finance, transportation, and automotive sectors, such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and BMW, to supply advanced chipsets used in various automotive applications, like telematics, infotainment, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
- Qualcomm aims to leverage technology innovations, like its Snapdragon Digital Chassis platform and Snapdragon Ride SoC, to bolster safety and connectivity features in two-wheelers, catering to the shift from cost-driven to experience-driven automotive expectations in India.
