Qualcomm and British startup Wayve, specializing in autonomous driving, announced a collaboration to create an integrated artificial intelligence system that will help automakers implement advanced driver assistance and automated control functions faster, Reuters reports.
The partnership combines Wayve's AI Driver software with Snapdragon Ride chips and Qualcomm's active safety software, offering automakers a single platform that can be used in a wide range of vehicles, from entry-level models to more advanced automated driving applications. The goal is to reduce the complexity of combining chips, security systems, and artificial intelligence software from different vendors, while simultaneously supporting functions ranging from "hands-off" (a level 2+ or 3 autopilot feature that allows you to take your hands off the steering wheel on certain road sections) to "eyes-off."" (driving without driver involvement), where regulations allow. The system is designed to scale across various vehicle segments and markets, allowing manufacturers to standardize core technology and expand capabilities with software updates over time. Wayve's software is based on real-world driving and machine learning data, rather than systems heavily based on maps.
Founded in 2017, the company recently raised $1.2 billion at a valuation of $8.6 billion from investors including Mercedes—Benz, Nvidia, Nissan and Uber.
