Qualcomm unveils its initial Snapdragon Auto plan, detailing an India-focused route for drafting more intelligent and secure vehicles
Qualcomm Bolsters India's Automotive Technology Sector
Qualcomm, a global leader in semiconductor technology, has announced its ambitious plans to make India a key player in the global automotive technology market. The tech giant's strategy, dubbed "Make in India, For India, and For the World," aims to localise engineering and manufacturing, creating a globally impactful automotive hub.
At the inaugural Snapdragon Auto Day in New Delhi, Qualcomm underscored its commitment to India. Siddharth Chauhan, a gadgets and technology reporter, was present at the event. He reported that Qualcomm employs about 22,000 people in India, more than anywhere else in the world, and boasts a significant number of specialized automotive engineering teams supporting Indian OEMs like Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Hyundai.
Qualcomm's strategy encompasses several key elements. The company is focusing on product innovation tailored for India and global markets. This includes the introduction of India-first deployments of platforms like the Snapdragon Digital Chassis Workbench and the cost-optimized Snapdragon Ride platform, designed specifically for India's two-wheeler market.
The company is also keen on electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Qualcomm provides chipsets and platforms for telematics, infotainment, in-car AI features, and safety systems. By 2026, around a dozen vehicles in India are expected to feature Qualcomm’s automotive SoCs.
Qualcomm is not just a supplier, but a collaborative partner. The company is building a collaborative framework with OEMs and suppliers to accelerate automotive intelligence and enable connected car technologies through their Snapdragon Digital Chassis portfolio.
The event marked a significant step towards supplying chips and building the foundation for the next generation of vehicles tailored for India. The Snapdragon Ride and Ride Elite platforms are central to India's shift from cost-driven to experience-driven automotive expectations.
Qualcomm's ADAS stack in India is supported by a petabyte-scale data and simulation factory. This factory uses AI and synthetic data to train models across millions of scenarios, including India's unique and complex road environments.
Siddharth's love for tech extends beyond gadgets and into the realm of futurism. He was particularly impressed by Qualcomm's focus on two-wheeler safety and connectivity, including features like 4G/5G and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS navigation, theft alerts, SOS assistance, and nearby charging station notifications.
As Qualcomm continues to invest in India, it is poised to redefine India's role in the global automotive technology landscape. With its focus on local engineering talent, product innovation, collaborative ecosystem partnerships, and a commitment to electric vehicles and ADAS, Qualcomm is positioning India as a strategic global automotive technology hub.
- Qualcomm's strategic plan, "Make in India, For India, and For the World," aims to make India a significant player in the global automotive technology industry, localizing engineering and manufacturing to create a globally impactful automotive hub.
- Qualcomm's expansion in India includes a strong focus on the finance sector, with the company employing about 22,000 people in India, more than anywhere else in the world, and boasting a substantial number of specialized automotive engineering teams supporting Indian OEMs.
- In the transportation industry, Qualcomm is not just a supplier but a collaborative partner, building a collaborative framework with OEMs and suppliers to accelerate automotive intelligence and enable connected car technologies, especially for the two-wheeler market in India.
