Volkswagen Group and Qualcomm Technologies have signed a Letter of Intent for a long-term supply agreement focused on next-generation infotainment, connectivity, and automated driving technologies powered by Snapdragon® Digital Chassis™ solutions. Under the intended agreement, Qualcomm would become a primary technology partner for Volkswagen Group’s zonal software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture, developed for the Western hemisphere through its joint venture with Rivian Automotive. High-performance system-on-chips for infotainment are planned to be deployed starting in 2027.
The collaboration builds on existing cooperation within Volkswagen’s Automated Driving Alliance, formed by CARIAD and Bosch, and supports the Group’s strategy to consolidate key semiconductor procurement while strengthening expertise in AI and software-hardware integration. Snapdragon Cockpit and Snapdragon Ride platforms are expected to enable advanced infotainment, over-the-air updates, agentic AI-driven in-vehicle experiences, and highly automated driving functions that are scalable across brands and model lines.
Vehicles that utilize the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform can help deliver agentic AI-driven experiences that anticipate needs, adapt in real time, and provide proactive assistance – from personalized climate and seating adjustments to optimized routes and multimodal voice or gesture controls.
Working with Volkswagen Group and Qualcomm Technologies, the Automated Driving Alliance (ADA), formed by CARIAD and Bosch, aims to leverage Snapdragon Ride™ Elite – Qualcomm Technologies’ most powerful automotive compute platform – to advance the development of automated driving. The goal: an AI-based system for highly automated driving, scalable across brands and model lines, and fully compatible with the SDV. Powered by an end-to-end AI architecture, Snapdragon Ride Elite delivers ultra-low latency for sensor processing and real-time decision-making.
The intended agreement, currently driven by Audi and Volkswagen Passenger Cars, also includes plans to integrate Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF and V2X technologies into future SDV-based vehicles. Together, Volkswagen Group and Qualcomm Technologies aim to deliver software-defined, AI-ready, and globally scalable vehicle platforms that enhance safety, personalization, connectivity, and the overall digital driving experience.
Source: qualcomm.com