Qualcomm making headway in automotive, hybrid AI, IoT

Global advanced wireless company Qualcomm Technologies Inc has diversified beyond mobile devices to the fields of automotive, Internet of Things (IoT) and hybrid artificial intelligence (AI).

“Qualcomm is enabling intelligent computing everywhere beyond smartphones and mobile devices,” said ST Liew, president of Qualcomm Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

According to Qualcomm, the future of AI needs to be hybrid, with AI workloads distributed between the cloud and devices, instead of processing in the cloud alone. Hybrid AI will allow generative AI developers and providers to take advantage of the computing capabilities available in edge devices to reduce costs.

Mr Liew said a hybrid AI architecture, or running AI solely on a device, offers benefits to cost, energy, performance, privacy, security, and personalisation, at a global scale.

“We see an electric vehicle is a device on the edge. Through the company’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis platform, it focuses on three domains for smart ride driver assistance, connectivity from internal car to cloud and cockpit,” said Mr Liew.

The platform enables automakers to deliver connected and intelligent experiences that are safer, customisable, and immersive with new technology features and digital services. Future cars will support driver biometrics to adjust customisation for car seats, entertainment screens and supporting payment transactions. This represents new revenue opportunities for carmakers.

According to the company’s first quarter in fiscal 2023, during October-December 2022, its automotive business revenue was up 58% year-on-year at US$456 million. Qualcomm expects the total addressable automotive market to expand to $100 billion by 2030.

Mr Liew said market opportunities for IoT systems are also growing. Qualcomm’s comprehensive Aware IoT platform combines its chips, expansive ecosystem, and tools to help digitally transform and modernise industries, he said.

The company sees a high market potential in Southeast Asia for IoT-sensor systems, particularly Thailand, and the development of smart city initiatives, smart factories, smart logistics and smart agriculture.

The factory of the future needs to be more agile, efficient, adaptable, and support the change of factory lines and preventive maintenance.

“We will seek more local partners to build the ecosystem,” said Mr Liew.

The 5G wireless broadband technology market is still growing as the use of 5G-enabled smartphones increases. According to International Data Corporation, 5G will account for 62% of smartphones shipped worldwide in 2023, rising to 83% by 2027.

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Qualcomm’s comprehensive Aware IoT platform combines its chips, expansive ecosystem, and tools to help digitally transform and modernise industries. St Liew President, Qualcomm Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand