Qualcomm Needs You to Know That Its New Automobile 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 carry its environment friendly computing structure to automobiles within the U.S.

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

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

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

Qualcomm executives mentioned they anticipate 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 highway, Qualcomm is planning to carry 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 automobile may concurrently play music, show 3D navigation, monitor the driving force, and preserve pace and distance whereas staying centered within the lane.

Parekh mentioned Qualcomm calls having all these purposes on one platform “blended 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 several AI chatbot however can even assist with “native” requests on the automobile similar to pulling up (and enjoying) sure music or mapping a brand new path to lunch. Unreal Engine gives display screen 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 digital camera, a radar unit, and a driver monitoring digital camera. Thought-about a mid-tier bundle, with Degree 2 driving solely obtainable on the freeway, the automobile required fixed consideration from the driving force. A extra premium bundle has a bigger sensor suite to provide extra knowledge to Qualcomm’s driver help system. 

Whereas the demo was easy, showcasing options many people use every day on the highway, that was sort of the purpose. Increasingly 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 pieces it’s essential to know concerning the tech unveiled at CES 2026. You possibly can comply with our CES live blog here and find all our coverage here.