Features
14 Apr 22

Stellantis partners with Qualcomm to power new vehicle platforms

Stellantis and Qualcomm have announced a multi-year collaboration to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon Chassis solutions for Stellantis's new digital platforms, STLA Brain and STLA SmartCockpit.

Snapdragon Digital Chassis represents a cloud-based platform designed for connectivity, telematics, digital cockpit, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Qualcomm unveiled Snapdragon Digital Chassis at the end of 2021, alongside with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile chipset. The technology enables features in automated driving, personalized interfaces, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and onboard diagnostics by merging 5G with sensors, cloud systems and processors. 

Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms will power the in-car communication and infotainment systems for STLA SmartCockpit while enhancing the capabilities of STLA Brain to improve convenience and safety. The first brand to carry Qualcomm's technologies will be Maserati in 2024. 

Stellantis plans to make STLA Brain ready in 2024 with improved AI capabilities through Snapdragon technology. The STLA Smart Cockpit system is being developed with Amazon and Foxconn. 

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said, "the deal will enable the automaker to vertically integrate key elements of our new platforms and more closely manage the complete electronics supply chain." On the other hand, Qualcomm has snatched another big deal from the automotive industry to increase its influence in the industry. 

Tavares added, "This will ultimately better meet the needs of our customers' lifestyles through safe, personalized, and always-connected features." 

Snapdragon is in high demand

At CES 2022, GM announced that it will use Qualcomm chips for the Ultra Cruise hands-free technology. GM outlined the aim of boosting its computing architecture's processing power by applying the Snapdragon Ride Platform. 

Turning the chip crisis into an advantage, Qualcomm said its automotive business pipeline surged to $13 billion in 2021 from $3 billion in 2017. 

Qualcomm also has partnerships with several automakers besides Stellantis and GM. At CES 2022, the company announced partnerships with Volvo Group, Honda Motor and Renault to supply chips. Volvo and Polestar will use Snapdragon Cockpit chips, and a Google built operating system starting this year, and Honda is planning to utilize Qualcomm's digital cockpit chips from 2023. 

The developments in connectivity and the need to reduce costs due to supply chain disruptions and high R&D budgets continuously push automakers to join forces with technology companies and institutions. Mercedes partnered with Luminar on Luminar technology, Volkswagen and Bosch teamed up to develop self-driving software, and Nissan and NASA agreed to develop solid-state batteries (SSBs).

Image: Qualcomm
 

Authored by: Mufit Yilmaz Gokmen