Qualcomm Technologies and the BMW Group jointly announced the launch of Snapdragon Ride Pilot, a new automated driving (AD) system. The system, a product of three years of collaboration, will initially appear in the BMW iX3, the first vehicle in BMW‘s Neue Klasse lineup.
Snapdragon Ride Pilot leverages Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon Ride system-on-chips (SoCs) and a jointly developed software stack. The system is designed to meet stringent safety standards and supports AD levels from basic New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) requirements to Level 2+ highway and urban automated driving capabilities.
The system’s global reach is significant. It has already been validated for use in over 60 countries and is expected to be available in more than 100 by 2026. Qualcomm is making Snapdragon Ride Pilot available to all automakers and Tier-1 suppliers worldwide.
Development of the Snapdragon Ride AD software stack involved a large team of over 1,400 specialists from various global locations. This collaborative effort underscores the international scope of the project.
Qualcomm executives expressed confidence in the system’s capabilities and its potential to improve safety and comfort for drivers. They highlighted the collaborative nature of the project and the system’s market potential.
BMW representatives emphasized that this system represents a significant technological leap forward for the company, aligning with their vision for intelligent and safe driving. They cited the system’s ability to meet their standards for smart, symbiotic, and safe advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
The Snapdragon Ride AD software stack features a perception stack from Qualcomm and a drive policy engine co-developed with BMW. This modular design allows for flexibility and cost-effectiveness for automakers and suppliers.
The software stack incorporates several key features. A 360-degree perception system uses cameras and radar for object detection, lane recognition, and other functions. A strong emphasis on safety is evident through adherence to Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASIL) and Functional Safety (FuSa) standards. The system also uses a blend of rule-based and AI-based models for advanced decision-making.
A data and simulation factory plays a crucial role in the development and testing process. This tool integrates real-world data with synthetic data and simulations to create a comprehensive testing environment. The system also supports over-the-air (OTA) updates and is customizable through the Snapdragon Ride SDK.
The BMW iX3’s ADAS system, powered by Snapdragon Ride, offers advanced capabilities such as contextual lane changes and overtaking, active lane change and highway assistance, and AI-powered parking assistance. The system’s central computer boasts significantly increased processing power compared to previous generations.
The vehicle also integrates Qualcomm‘s V2X 200 chipset for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, enhancing safety by enabling communication with surrounding infrastructure and other road users.
The companies expressed their intent to continue development and improvements in future iterations of the technology.
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