Qualcomm Technologies and BMW Group have announced Snapdragon Ride Pilot, an automated driving (AD) system built on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride system-on-chips and a new Snapdragon Ride AD software stack co-developed by both companies. The system makes its production debut in the all-new BMW iX3, part of BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, and has been validated for use in more than 60 countries, with expansion to over 100 countries planned for 2026. Qualcomm will make Snapdragon Ride Pilot available to global automakers and Tier-1 suppliers.
SurveyNakul Duggal, Group General Manager, Automotive and Industrial & Embedded IoT at Qualcomm Technologies, said the collaboration has produced “a world-class system that is now available to bring the safety and comfort benefits of automated driving to consumers across all regions and vehicle tiers.” Dr Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President, Development Driving Experience at BMW Group, called the system “a significant contribution to the big technological leap we take with our Neue Klasse.”
What the stack includes
The Snapdragon Ride AD software stack combines a Qualcomm-developed perception stack with a drive policy engine co-developed with BMW. Key elements include:
- 360-degree perception using a camera-based vision stack for object detection, surround view, lane and traffic sign recognition, parking assistance, driver monitoring and mapping. Low-level sensor fusion between camera and radar data is used to reduce tracking latency and improve performance in complex urban scenarios.
- Safety and security features aligned with ASIL and Functional Safety standards, with compliance paths cited for NCAP, FMVSS127 and DCAS, plus SOTIF considerations and multi-layered cybersecurity.
- Context-aware driving that blends rule-based and AI-based models for behaviour prediction and planning.
- A “data and simulation factory” toolchain that integrates real-world and synthetic data for training, testing and regression at scale.
- OTA update support and a Snapdragon Ride SDK for OEM and Tier-1 customisation across vehicle segments.
According to the companies, development of the stack involved more than 1,400 specialists across Germany, the USA, Sweden, Romania and BMW’s AD Test Centre in the Czech Republic over three years.
Capabilities in the BMW iX3
BMW’s implementation integrates automotive-grade Snapdragon Ride SoCs for centralised sensor processing, computer vision modules for perception and the co-developed automated driving software, including drive policy and safety guardrails.
In the BMW iX3, the new automated driving system introduces several advanced capabilities. Contextual lane changes and overtaking can now be initiated through subtle driver cues such as glances in the mirror or a light nudge of the steering wheel. The car also supports active lane changes and a highway assistant, enabling hands-free driving on approved road networks. Parking is enhanced through AI-powered slot detection and camera-based in-cabin monitoring, extending the system’s utility beyond the road itself. At the core of this setup is what BMW describes as the “Superbrain of Automated Driving,” a central computing platform that delivers 20 times the processing power of its predecessor.
This architecture integrates high-resolution 8-megapixel and 3-megapixel cameras, radar sensors, high-definition mapping and precise GNSS localisation to create a comprehensive 360-degree view of the vehicle’s environment. Complementing these systems is Qualcomm’s V2X 200 chipset, which enables vehicle-to-everything communication to improve safety by allowing the car to exchange information directly with surrounding infrastructure, pedestrians and other road users.
Availability, scope and levels
Qualcomm positions Ride Pilot as a full system solution that spans from entry-level NCAP functions to Level 2+ highway and urban navigation on autopilot. The BMW iX3 launch uses current-generation Snapdragon Ride SoCs, and Qualcomm says the software can scale down to lower tiers or up to future Ride Elite hardware.
Business context and portfolio positioning
Qualcomm also outlined the evolution of its automotive business from early telematics supply to cockpit infotainment and now ADAS, reporting roughly $1 billion in quarterly automotive revenue. The company cited a design-win pipeline of about $4 billion with roughly one-third related to ADAS. Qualcomm says that more than 350 million vehicles on the road feature its automotive technologies, such as telematics, infotainment SoCs and combined SoCs that support both ADAS and infotainment. More than 20 OEM programmes have selected Snapdragon Ride for ADAS and automated driving with most launches expected over the next 18 months across regions, including China.
Openness, customisation and data
In terms of commercial model and extensibility, Qualcomm said the co-developed system will be licensed broadly. BMW retains rights for its vehicles while Qualcomm offers the solution to other OEMs and Tier-1s. The stack ships with documentation, SDK hooks and evaluation kits that allow automakers to extend functions while Qualcomm supports validation, data collection and continuous improvement through a closed-loop “data flywheel.”
Integration and safety approach
Qualcomm’s stack is designed to coexist with established ADAS functions if an OEM chooses to retain proven modules such as emergency braking, and can integrate into existing E-architectures for both EVs and ICE vehicles.
The companies emphasised driver engagement. The initial deployments target Level 0 to Level 2+ autonomous functions, including hands-off on approved roads, but not eyes-off. Having said that, higher autonomy levels remain on the roadmap using the same building blocks.
Regional plans, including India and China
Qualcomm said validation data spans more than 60 countries, with a broader rollout planned. For India, the company expects deployments in the late-2026 to early-2027 timeframe and noted ongoing local data collection and testing. In China, Qualcomm cited an existing footprint in cockpit and growing ADAS deployments, with partnerships among local ADAS stack providers to address regulatory and data-localisation requirements.
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Siddharth Chauhan
Siddharth reports on gadgets, technology and you will occasionally find him testing the latest smartphones at Digit. However, his love affair with tech and futurism extends way beyond, at the intersection of technology and culture. View Full Profile
