Qualcomm Needs You to Know That Its New Automotive Chip Has Multitasking Baked In

Qualcomm confirmed off its all-in-one Flex SoC (System on a Chip) at CES on Monday and introduced plans to convey its environment friendly computing structure to automobiles within the U.S.

(Observe: Qualcomm sponsored my journey to CES by offering journey, lodging, and meals. No different compensation was acquired and Qualcomm had no editorial enter or affect on my content material.)

The message Qualcomm is sending out at CES is easy: flexibility. The chipmaker is already a longtime accomplice for a lot of automakers behind the scenes, offering infotainment options, security options, and superior driving techniques. The Flex SoC, nevertheless, can management each driver help and infotainment options, Qualcomm stated. It’s supposed to scale back complexity of software program and {hardware} techniques for carmakers, and, in flip, cut back prices in order that primary superior driving options could be included as normal. 

As Nilesh Parekh, a senior director for Snapdragon Journey Flex merchandise, defined throughout a demo journey exterior of the W Las Vegas resort, the Flex SoC is exclusive as a result of it mixes completely different use circumstances on the identical chip.

Qualcomm executives stated they count on all future automobiles to have contact and show screens and a few primary security options, even in entry-level fashions. Already launched in China and on the street, Qualcomm is planning to convey its environment friendly computing structure to U.S. automobiles. 

I went on a demo journey as a passenger in a Lincoln Aviator outfitted with Qualcomm tech powering the infotainment system and assisted driving options. Whereas on the freeway, I noticed how the automotive may concurrently play music, show 3D navigation, monitor the motive force, and keep pace and distance whereas staying centered within the lane.

Parekh stated Qualcomm calls having all these functions on one platform “combined criticality”—particularly since some options are security oriented, whereas others, like music choice, are clearly not.

Google’s AI assistant is constructed into Qualcomm’s system, which makes use of Gemini to reply questions like all AI chatbot however may assist with “native” requests on the automotive equivalent to pulling up (and taking part in) sure music or mapping a brand new path to lunch. Unreal Engine supplies display graphics, together with a real-time 3D rendering of the car that reveals whether or not a door is open and which route the wheels are pointing.

The demo journey I took was solely outfitted with one digicam, a radar unit, and a driver monitoring digicam. Thought of a mid-tier bundle, with Degree 2 driving solely obtainable on the freeway, the automotive required fixed consideration from the motive force. A extra premium bundle has a bigger sensor suite to produce extra knowledge to Qualcomm’s driver help system. 

Whereas the demo was easy, showcasing options many people use each day on the street, that was type of the purpose. An increasing number of automobiles are going to be anticipated to supply primary freeway help and touchscreen graphics with an in-cabin chat bot answering all our questions—and all on the identical time.

Gizmodo is on the bottom in Las Vegas all week bringing you all the things you want to know concerning the tech unveiled at CES 2026. You possibly can observe our CES live blog here and find all our coverage here.