On the day of the event, Qualcomm Technologies presented its latest advancements and roadmap focused on smart, connected mobility solutions tailored for the Indian market. Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways for India, graced the occasion as the chief guest, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting next-generation automotive technologies.
The occasion saw the convergence of industry leaders from automobile manufacturing, technology development, and policymaking, reinforcing Qualcomm’s expanding footprint in India’s automotive ecosystem. Qualcomm showcased its Snapdragon Digital Chassis suite of platforms—Snapdragon Cockpit, Snapdragon Ride, Snapdragon Ride Flex, Auto Connectivity, and Car-to-Cloud—each engineered to address the complex driving conditions unique to India.
Globally, Qualcomm’s automotive solutions power over 350 million vehicles. The company’s Indian R&D hubs in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Gurgaon have been operational for more than ten years, driving innovation in telematics, cockpit development, ADAS, connected two-wheelers, and comprehensive vehicle connectivity solutions.
The Snapdragon Digital Chassis platforms’ maturity and reliability are confirmed through Qualcomm’s work with Indian automotive companies, said Nakul Duggal, Group GM for Automotive at Qualcomm. He added that Qualcomm is steadfast in its mission to enhance automotive intelligence and elevate the driving experience for Indian users.
Progress in Connected Vehicle Interiors
As India rapidly adopts digital cockpit and connected vehicle technology, Qualcomm highlighted current collaborations with key partners:
- Maruti Suzuki, advancing connected vehicle capabilities
- Mahindra, deploying Snapdragon Cockpit and Auto Connectivity to enrich in-car user experience
- Spark Minda, focused on smart cockpit solutions that improve digital interfaces
These partnerships indicate growing traction for integrated automotive platforms within the country.
Two-Wheeler Connectivity Gains Momentum
In the fast-evolving two-wheeler segment, Qualcomm underscored its contributions toward connectivity and intelligent riding solutions, collaborating with:
- Hero MotoCorp to deliver enhanced ride intelligence
- Ultraviolette for connected features in high-performance electric motorcycles
- Royal Enfield in implementing connected cluster systems
- Pricol to develop telematics and digital cluster solutions for upcoming models
Such initiatives aim to provide riders with safer, smarter, and more connected journeys.
Innovative Fusion of Technology and Creativity with will.i.am
Highlighting creative innovation, will.i.am, founder and CEO of FYI.AI, joined Qualcomm’s Nakul Duggal and Don McGuire (SVP & CMO) to unveil FYI RAiDiO and Melodic Drive. Demonstrations of these solutions, designed for Snapdragon-powered cars, took place in the Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e electric luxury models.
Employing Qualcomm’s sensing and audio processing technology, the platforms translate driver maneuvers—such as braking, acceleration, and steering—into dynamic musical experiences, effectively turning the vehicle into a live musical instrument responsive to driving behavior.
First Demonstration of Snapdragon Ride in India
The event also marked the public debut of Snapdragon Ride, Qualcomm’s advanced driver assistance system platform, designed to boost driving safety and comfort under India’s challenging road conditions.
Qualcomm’s automotive ecosystem includes partnerships with firms such as Autolink, Bosch, Desay, Harman, Mobis, Thundersoft, Tata Elxsi, Valeo, Visteon, and ZF, reflecting extensive integration across vehicle components and software.
India’s Expanding Role in Global Automotive Innovation
Qualcomm reaffirmed India’s emergence as a pivotal center for automotive technology development. By fostering synergies among automakers, suppliers, and software innovators, Qualcomm supports the growth of a unified, connected automotive ecosystem in the country.
Key collaborators in this journey include Maruti Suzuki India Limited, Ultraviolette, and KPIT Technologies Limited, which actively integrate Qualcomm’s vehicle platforms into their offerings.
Speaking at the event, Savi Soin, Senior Vice President & President, Qualcomm India, said:
With a focused approach on ‘Make in India, For India, and For the World,’ Snapdragon platforms are powering the next generation of connected, smarter, and safer vehicles. Qualcomm is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation through our vast scale, expertise, and dedicated automotive engineering efforts in India.
Our strategic partnerships with India’s top mobility OEMs and suppliers enable the local ecosystem to drive the mobility revolution and leap forward into a future defined by intelligent transportation. The journey ahead is extremely promising, and we are only beginning our efforts in India.