Revolutionize Your Ride: Latest Qualcomm Chipsets for the Future of Driving
Quantum Leap: Qualcomm’s Big Move into the Auto Industry
It’s been a wild ride for Qualcomm, and 2022 is no exception. Fresh from its massive foray into laptop chips with the Snapdragon X Elite series, the company is now driving into the automotive space. At its annual Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm announced two new platforms: Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite.
These two platforms are designed for different purposes, but can be used together or separately. The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite is built for in-vehicle infotainment systems and services, while the Snapdragon Ride Elite powers autonomous vehicle systems, including all the cameras and sensors that make them tick.
The Heart of It All: Qualcomm Oryon CPU
At the core of both platforms is the Qualcomm Oryon CPU, the same processor found in many Snapdragon-powered smartphones. This means that vehicles running on the Snapdragon Cockpit Elite could theoretically run as quickly as your phone – a significant improvement for many cars.
As the auto industry shifts towards software-defined vehicles (SDVs), cars will need to run on sophisticated software, much like your smartphone. Qualcomm’s platforms aim to support all these operating systems, but we’ll have to wait and see if it increases performance.
More Displays and AI
The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite can handle up to 16 displays with 4K resolution, a feature that’s sure to be a game-changer. For the Snapdragon Ride Elite, AI support is crucial, particularly in processing self-driving tech. Both platforms feature a dedicated neural processing unit, designed for low latency and high precision. Low latency is essential, given the platforms support 40 multimodal sensors, including up to 20 cameras for 360-degree coverage and in-cabin monitoring.
Efficiency in Action
These platforms are designed for efficient processing, with a focus on reducing power consumption. This is vital, as it allows for more range and less battery waste. Car software is notorious for being slow, often taking seconds to respond to touch and load menus. For an industry focusing on autonomous tech, faster processing is increasingly important.
The Road Ahead
Qualcomm claims Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite will be available for sampling in 2025. This doesn’t mean we’ll see cars with these platforms in 2025, but rather when automakers can start testing. It may be some time before we can get our hands on a car with one of these platforms, but we’re hopeful it’ll be worth the wait.
[Image: Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Ride Elite automotive platforms]
[Image: Qualcomm]
