At its flagship Snapdragon for India: Auto Day event, Qualcomm spotlighted its growing role in India’s automotive transformation.
The event was attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, underscoring the government’s recognition of technology’s impact on road safety, electrification, and mobility.
Held with participation from major automakers and technology leaders, the event served as a platform for Qualcomm to present its Snapdragon Digital Chassis portfolio, which includes solutions powering digital cockpits, connected vehicles, ADAS, and telematics across India.
Qualcomm claims its technology is now embedded in over 350 million vehicles globally.
Executives Nakul Duggal and Savi Soin emphasised the company’s long-term commitment to India, not just as a market but as a development hub.
Also read: Qualcomm Showcases Vision for India’s XR Future
With engineering bases in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Gurgaon, Qualcomm’s automotive teams in India are involved in both hardware and software innovation for global and local deployments.
Hip-Hop Legend Speaks
In a notable segment, hip-hop legend and entrepreneur will.i.am joined Qualcomm executives to unveil a collaboration blending music creation with in-car dynamics.
He spoke at length about and demonstrated the capabilities of FYI RAiDiO, an AI-powered, interactive, conversational media platform designed to revolutionise radio.
It allows users to engage in two-way conversations with AI hosts, customise their listening experience, and interact with curated content.
The platform is integrated into the FYI.AI app and offers stations focused on various topics like music, sports, and pop culture.
Key Automotive Collaborations
The event featured demonstrations and announcements in collaboration with several Indian auto manufacturers:
- Maruti Suzuki: Qualcomm powers connected car features in newer models like the Baleno.
- Mahindra: Integration of Snapdragon Cockpit and connectivity tech for immersive in-cabin experiences.
- Spark Minda: Co-developing digital cockpit solutions.
- Hero MotoCorp, Royal Enfield, Ultraviolette: Qualcomm’s chipsets support advanced connectivity and dashboard interfaces in two-wheelers.
- Pricol: Tapping Qualcomm for next-gen telematics systems.
First India Demo of Snapdragon Ride
Attendees witnessed India’s first demonstration of Snapdragon Ride, Qualcomm’s ADAS platform.
The solution was exhibited with partners such as Bosch, Tata Elxsi, Valeo, and Harman, showcasing safety-focused features designed for Indian road conditions.
Moving Beyond Hardware
Beyond performance, Qualcomm highlighted Studio-level content integration through its Snapdragon Cockpit platforms.
Features like Dolby Atmos, immersive navigation, and personalised entertainment are being made possible through the same processors once reserved for premium smartphones.
The company also continues to push its ‘Make from India, For India, and For the World’ philosophy, framing India not just as a market but as a design and innovation centre for global automotive technologies.