Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and BMW Group have unveiled Snapdragon Ride Pilot, a new automated driving (AD) system. This innovation is the result of a three-year collaboration between the two companies.
The system is built on Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon Ride™ system-on-chips (SoCs) and powered by the Snapdragon Ride AD software stack, co-developed by Qualcomm and BMW.
A Leap in Automated Driving
Snapdragon Ride Pilot is engineered to meet the highest safety standards and supports automation levels from entry-level NCAP to Level 2+ highway and urban navigation on autopilot (NOA).
The system made its global debut in the all-new BMW iX3, the first production vehicle in BMW’s Neue Klasse. It has already been validated in 60+ countries and will expand to over 100 markets by 2026.
Importantly, Snapdragon Ride Pilot is now available to all global automakers and Tier-1 suppliers through Qualcomm Technologies.
Collaboration at Scale
The development of the Snapdragon Ride AD software stack showcases a true global effort. More than 1,400 specialists contributed from locations including:
- Germany
- USA
- Sweden
- Romania
- BMW AD Test Center, Czech Republic
This large-scale collaboration enabled the system’s development over three years.
Leadership Perspectives
Nakul Duggal, Group General Manager, Automotive and Industrial & Embedded IoT, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said:
“Our collaboration with BMW’s world-class engineering team has been transformative. Together, we’ve created Snapdragon Ride Pilot—a revolutionary driver assistance system that prioritizes safety and sets a new industry standard. We’re excited to see this in the BMW iX3 and anticipate broad adoption worldwide.”
Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Development Driving Experience, BMW Group, added:
“This system represents a major leap forward in our Neue Klasse. Smart, symbiotic, and safe—that is the BMW philosophy for ADAS, and with Qualcomm, we’ve achieved it at an unprecedented level.”
Introducing the Snapdragon Ride AD Software Stack
The Snapdragon Ride AD software stack provides automakers with a scalable and flexible platform. It allows quick time-to-market, cost efficiency, and custom drive policy integration.
Key Components
- 360-Degree Perception:
- Camera-based vision for object detection, lane recognition, parking assistance, traffic signs, mapping, and driver monitoring.
- Low-level perception between camera and radar reduces latency and improves accuracy in urban intersections.
- Bird’s-eye-view (BEV) architecture enhances performance.
- Safety-First Approach:
- Meets Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASIL) and Functional Safety (FuSa) standards.
- Supports compliance with NCAP, FMVSS127, and DCAS.
- Incorporates SOTIF measures and advanced cybersecurity with multi-layered encryption.
- Advanced Context-Aware Driving:
- Combines rule-based and AI-based models.
- Safely manages complex driving scenarios through behavior prediction and planning.
The stack also leverages a data and simulation factory, integrating real and synthetic data with AI-based simulations. This accelerates training and testing for diverse driving scenarios.
Continuous Updates and Customization
Snapdragon Ride Pilot supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, ensuring improvements throughout the vehicle’s life cycle.
Through the Snapdragon Ride SDK, automakers can:
- Tailor solutions across vehicle types.
- Leverage fleet data for enhanced safety and comfort.
Snapdragon Ride Platform in BMW’s Neue Klasse
The all-new BMW iX3 is the first vehicle to feature this system. Its ADAS is powered by Snapdragon Ride SoCs, integrating:
- Centralized sensor data processing
- Advanced computer vision modules
- Ride AD software stack with BMW’s co-developed drive policy
Capabilities
- Contextual lane change and overtaking based on driver cues (e.g., mirror glances, steering nudges)
- Active lane change and highway assistant for hands-free driving on approved networks
- AI-powered parking assistance with slot detection
- In-cabin driver monitoring via camera
BMW’s “Superbrain of Automated Driving” combines these functions on a unified architecture. It delivers 20x more computing power than the previous generation and uses high-resolution cameras, radar sensors, HD maps, and GNSS localization for robust performance.
V2X Communications for Added Safety
The BMW iX3 also integrates Qualcomm Technologies’ V2X 200 chipset. This enables vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, allowing vehicles to:
- Detect risks beyond the line of sight
- Communicate with road infrastructure, pedestrians, and other vehicles
- Reduce collisions with predictive alerts
Looking Ahead
Snapdragon Ride Pilot is not just a step forward—it is a redefinition of automated driving. By combining Qualcomm’s semiconductor expertise with BMW’s automotive leadership, the partnership is setting a new global benchmark for safety, intelligence, and driving experience.
Automakers can explore the Snapdragon Ride platform at IAA Mobility 2025, Hall A2, Booth C01, starting September 8.