Qualcomm teams up with BMW for hands-free driving

Qualcomm, a leading chipmaker, has partnered with BMW to develop a new driver-assist system that will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel on approved roads. The system, called Snapdragon Ride Pilot, is built on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride system-on-a-chip and is designed to meet the highest safety standards. The new system is similar to Tesla's Full Self-Driving, GM's Super Cruise, and Ford's BlueCruise, allowing drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel and feet from the pedals on approved roads. Qualcomm claims that the system has been validated for use in more than 60 countries, with plans to expand to over 100 in 2026. While most hands-free systems are marketed as convenience features, Qualcomm believes that its new driver-assist features should also help improve safety. The company says that the system has built-in redundancy and multiple algorithms to ensure the driver stays engaged with the road, but it acknowledges that life on the road can be unpredictable, and driver engagement is crucial. The partnership between Qualcomm and BMW signals a growing role for automakers in the development of their autonomous systems, as more car companies turn to advanced processors and chips to power high-tech features.