Stellantis and Qualcomm collaborate on digital vehicle platform

The automotive group Stellantis and the semiconductor specialist Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. have announced a multi-year technological collaboration and aim to leverage the developments of the Snapdragon Digital Chassis to enrich the models of the 14 automobile brands with intelligent, customer-tailored, and immersive experiences starting from 2024. By utilizing the platforms and 5G capabilities for telematics systems, the initiative aims to integrate all software domains into high-performance computers and use the highly efficient, power-saving Snapdragon automotive platforms in all key vehicle areas. The collaboration is also expected to help secure supply chains for strategic components. The first application from this partnership will be used in the next-generation Stellantis infotainment system for the Maserati brand, according to the provider.

"Our technological collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies is another example of how we engage industry leaders to work together with our dedicated internal teams to redesign our vehicles through a software-defined approach. This will ultimately better meet the needs and lifestyles of our customers—thanks to secure, tailored, and always connected features," says Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.

To take the relationship between driver and vehicle to the next level, the manufacturer is employing the next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit platforms for the operation of communication and infotainment systems as part of the collaboratively developed STLA SmartCockpit with Amazon and Foxconn. The cockpit platforms are designed not only to deliver high-resolution graphics for the touch- and voice-controlled cockpit console but also to provide an immersive, embedded experience on board, promising premium audio and crystal-clear voice communication throughout the vehicle interior. Furthermore, the platforms will be used to advance STLA Brain, offering a new level of digital intelligence for comfort and safety. STLA Brain aims to enhance the on-board driver assistance systems with highly intuitive artificial intelligence (AI) functionalities that include:

• Over-the-Air Updates (OTA): These enable the vehicle to naturally evolve over time by being continuously updated, improved, and expanded, including features on demand and instant upgrades such as additional power or driving modes
• Tailored experiences by using AI to adapt to a variety of customer preferences
• Enhanced user experiences thanks to faster communication with connected features and higher processing power to support future upgrades
• Continuously interesting new services and solutions
• Permanently connected experiences
• Improved owner experiences through OTA-driven diagnostics and repairs of all key vehicle systems