Qualcomm Google automotive AI partnership deepens focus on software-defined vehicles

Qualcomm Technologies and Google have announced an expansion of their long-standing collaboration in the automotive sector, extending a partnership that has evolved for more than a decade. The renewed effort focuses on building end-to-end automotive technology platforms designed to support software-defined vehicles and agentic AI-driven experiences.

At the core of the Qualcomm Google automotive AI partnership is a tighter integration between Snapdragon Digital Chassis platforms and Google’s automotive software stack. The companies say this approach is aimed at helping automakers shorten development cycles, scale vehicle software across product lines and introduce AI-powered features more efficiently.

The expanded collaboration is positioned as a foundation for the next generation of connected vehicles, combining on-device computing with cloud-based AI and development environments.

From infotainment to full vehicle platforms

The collaboration between Qualcomm Technologies and Google began with Snapdragon-powered Android infotainment systems. That early work helped accelerate adoption of Android Automotive OS and led to the first production vehicles with Google built-in capabilities.

Over time, the partnership expanded beyond infotainment to cover broader in-vehicle computing needs. The latest phase moves further in that direction, aligning hardware, operating systems and cloud services to support software-defined vehicle architectures.

According to the companies, the goal is to enable vehicles that can anticipate and adapt to driver needs using AI, while remaining secure and scalable across global markets.

Cloud and on-device AI working together

A key element of the Qualcomm Google automotive AI partnership is a hybrid architecture that blends on-device processing with cloud-based AI models. Building on earlier announcements around Gemini Enterprise for Automotive, the companies are showcasing solutions that connect vehicles directly to cloud services while retaining real-time capabilities inside the vehicle.

This approach is designed to support features such as proactive voice assistants, multimodal interfaces and continuous personalisation. It also allows automakers to roll out new functions more quickly, manage compliance requirements and control development costs.

For drivers, the companies say this could translate into vehicles that evolve over time through software updates rather than relying solely on hardware upgrades.

Unified reference platform for automakers

Qualcomm Technologies and Google are also establishing a unified reference platform intended to simplify development and production for vehicle manufacturers. By aligning Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms with Google’s Android Automotive OS roadmap, starting with Android 17, the partners aim to create a consistent foundation for in-vehicle infotainment and broader vehicle software systems.

The reference platform is expected to support faster prototyping and testing, while improving quality assurance across vehicle generations. For automakers, this could reduce fragmentation and help standardise software deployment across multiple models and markets.

Scaling Android Automotive for software-defined vehicles

As part of the expanded collaboration, the two companies are working to scale Android Automotive OS for software-defined vehicles. The initiative combines on-device software with cloud-based development environments to speed up overall vehicle software development.

Qualcomm Technologies is positioned as the lead scaling partner, delivering pre-integrated and optimised Android Automotive OS software on Snapdragon Digital Chassis platforms. The architecture supports multiple vehicle domains, including instrument clusters, over-the-air updates and telemetry-driven insights powered by AI.

The companies say this unified software stack allows automotive OEMs to deploy features across vehicle tiers and generations while enabling new services throughout a vehicle’s lifecycle.

Virtual development with Snapdragon vSoC on Google Cloud

Another component of the Qualcomm Google automotive AI partnership is the introduction of the Snapdragon vSoC virtual platform on Google Cloud. This enables automakers to design, test and validate automotive software entirely in the cloud, without relying on physical vehicle hardware.

Running on Arm-based Google Cloud Axion bare metal instances, the virtual platform is designed to closely mirror in-vehicle system-on-chips. Developers can begin work using standard computing devices, collaborate across geographies and scale development resources as needed.

This cloud-native approach is intended to complement existing automotive software factories and help reduce time-to-market for new vehicle features.

Long-term Android lifecycle management

Qualcomm Technologies has also introduced Project Treble for automakers using Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms. The initiative is designed to simplify Android lifecycle management across multiple hardware generations.

Project Treble aims to deliver predictable and secure Android updates, reduce software fragmentation and support long-term maintenance across more than a dozen system-on-chips. The companies say this approach is backed by a ten-year plan for critical software updates, addressing a long-standing challenge in the automotive industry.

Industry perspective

Patrick Brady, VP, Engineering, Google, said the expanded collaboration reflects the growing importance of AI-powered, software-defined vehicles and the need for tighter integration between hardware and software platforms.

Nakul Duggal, EVP and Group GM, Automotive, Industrial and Embedded IoT and Robotics, Qualcomm Technologies, said the partnership brings together Snapdragon Digital Chassis platforms and Google’s software and AI capabilities to help automakers accelerate innovation and deliver more personalised vehicle experiences.

What it signals for the automotive sector

The expanded Qualcomm Google automotive AI partnership highlights a broader shift in the automotive industry towards software-centric development models. As vehicles become platforms for continuous software updates and AI-driven services, collaborations that align silicon, operating systems and cloud infrastructure are becoming central to how future vehicles are built and maintained.

For automakers, the partnership offers a pathway to reduce development complexity while keeping pace with rapid changes in vehicle software and AI capabilities.