Google, Qualcomm Announce Collaboration on Software Defined Vehicles, AI Experiences

Google and Qualcomm have committed to strengthening their collaborative efforts, with a particular focus on software-defined vehicles, in-car AI features, connectivity, and software development. The two companies, which have worked together for 10 years on automotive technology, announced their new, deeper initiatives right as CES 2026 kicked off on Monday. 

The two industry giants aim to accelerate the transformation of the automotive industry in the age of AI, harnessing the capabilities of new technology and helping manufacturing partners bring new products, services and experiences to market more quickly. They envision millions of next-generation vehicles in service around the world that can anticipate and react to drivers’ needs using AI without any compromise to security.

In a press statement, the companies identified areas in which they will strengthen their collaboration. Starting with intelligent mobility, Qualcomm and Google Cloud will show off AI solutions at CES 2026 that combine on-device and cloud models for real-time personalisation, multi-modal interfaces, and improved safety using proactive, always-on AI.

The two companies are also developing a unified reference platform that syncs roadmaps for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms and Google’s Android Automotive OS, starting with Android 17. They say this will help carmakers speed up prototyping and product development for next-gen software-defined vehicles, and improve quality control.

Next, both companies have aligned their work on Android Automotive OS for SDVs (AAOS SDV). Qualcomm will offer pre-integrated, optimised software on Snapdragon Digital Chassis platforms, supporting essential functions such as instrument clusters with safety and regulatory display elements, granular OTA updates, premium consumer experiences, and vehicle and fleet insights powered by telemetry data and AI. 

Using virtual Snapdragon SoCs (vSoCs), car manufacturers will be able to develop natively on Google Cloud infrastructure without needing vehicle hardware, even remotely and collaboratively across the world. AAOS SDV on Snapdragon Digital Chassis will let companies maintain unified software across vehicle tiers and generations, to rapidly develop differentiated features. The two companies will also help their customers monetise services throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

Project Treble for Android Automotive OS (AAOS) is intended to streamline development by ensuring predictable upgrades, reduce fragmentation, and improve security across multiple models. It will cover four generations of Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms and over 14 Qualcomm system-on-chip (SoC) models. Critical software updates are guaranteed for 10 years.