BMW iX3 Gets Brain Boost: Qualcomm’s Self-Driving Tech Stuns at IAA 2025
Qualcomm and BMW unveil AI-powered self-driving tech in new BMW iX3.
Qualcomm Technologies and BMW Group unveiled the Snapdragon Ride Pilot, a groundbreaking automated driving system, at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, marking its debut in the all-new BMW iX3, the first vehicle in BMW’s Neue Klasse lineup.
Developed over three years by over 1,400 specialists across Germany, the USA, Sweden, Romania, and BMW’s Czech AD Test Centre, this advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride system-on-chips (SoCs) and a co-developed software stack to deliver Level 2+ highway and urban navigation on autopilot (NOA), validated for use in over 60 countries, with plans to expand to 100 by 2026.
The Snapdragon Ride Pilot integrates a 360-degree perception system with camera-based vision and a bird’s-eye-view architecture, enabling precise object detection, lane recognition, traffic sign interpretation, and parking assistance. Its drive policy engine, co-developed with BMW, combines rule-based and AI-driven models for context-aware driving, ensuring safety in complex scenarios.
Prioritizing a “safety-first approach,” the system complies with Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASIL), Functional Safety (FuSa), and Safety of the Intended Functionality (SOTIF) standards, while supporting over-the-air updates for continuous improvement via a cloud-based data flywheel. The iX3’s V2X chipset enhances safety by enabling communication with surroundings to mitigate collision risks.
In the BMW iX3, the Snapdragon Ride Pilot acts as a central “superbrain,” delivering 20 times the computing power of its predecessors, enabling features like hands-free highway driving, contextual lane changes, and AI-powered parking. Now available to global automakers, the system offers scalable ADAS solutions from entry-level NCAP to Level 2+ capabilities, positioning Qualcomm and BMW as leaders in intelligent mobility.
This collaboration underscores a transformative step toward safer, smarter driving experiences worldwide.
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