Qualcomm Exhibits Off AI-Powered Maps, a New Characteristic to Stage Up Self-Driving Vehicles

A automobile with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Experience Pilot, the corporate’s driving help system, roamed the streets of Las Vegas to kick off the CES tech present on Monday. Nonetheless, the limelight wasn’t on driving help methods or autonomous driving on metropolis streets and highways, however reasonably a further function aiming to create a easy and protected driving expertise: AI-powered maps.

(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.)

At CES, Qualcomm showcased what AI maps created by HERE Applied sciences might do when paired with its Snapdragon Experience Pilot, a Stage 2+ autonomous driving system. The maps are a part of making a easy and protected driving expertise whereas each a human driver and the pc driver are on the wheel, Qualcomm stated.

Based on HERE, its maps create an “e-horizon” that anticipate the street past what the automobile can see forward. Additionally they supply a view of the street topography lane-by-lane, which helps facilitate higher lane modifications.

Whereas Qualcomm isn’t breaking into the robotaxi scene, it powers lots of the autos on the street behind the scenes with its Snapdragon chip. 

As a part of its Snapdragon Digital Chassis package deal, Qualcomm gives infotainment companies, in-vehicle connectivity, dashboard shows, security options,  and different superior options in automobiles from producers like BMW, Basic Motors, and Ford. HERE is considered one of many integrations that may work with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Experience Pilot.

HERE says its superior driving maps work in 60 nations already, including that it has plans to increase to 100 nations this yr.

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