Originally featured on Qualcomm’s ONQBlog January 8, 2024

Vehicle architectures continue to be increasingly defined through their software, evolving to include more centralized, cloud-connected processing resources that give automakers the benefit of faster development cycles and data-driven intelligence. Because they’re aware of both their occupants and surroundings, vehicles are ideally suited for creating contextually relevant travel experiences. Drawing on what it knows about users and sensor data collected by the vehicle, an intelligent in-vehicle assistant can make proactive service recommendations tailored to their personal preferences and current circumstances to drive new levels of engagement.

Combining technology with the context of the vehicle to understand what the user journey looks and feels like unleashes tremendous value. Already accustomed to an always-connected experience with their smartphones, dynamically configurable vehicles are the next frontier for consumers seeking more convenient travel experiences with apps and services available on-demand. Enterprise and fleet service providers also benefit from vehicles that are always up to date and services that are designed to streamline operational efficiency. The possibilities for use cases are endless, so the challenge comes in building a platform flexible enough to accommodate the growing services ecosystem.

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is collaborating with industry leaders to deliver a comprehensive platform for bringing connected services to vehicles throughout their 15 to 20-year lifespan. Together we are helping to create winning outcomes for everyone in the automotive ecosystem including consumer and enterprise drivers, passengers, automakers, fleet managers, mobility service providers and more.

Top-notch customer experiences with personalized in-vehicle services

Having access to user data stored securely on the vehicle is instrumental for providing experiences that are both tailored and timely, such as:

• real-time alerts,
• user-specific offers,
• proactive maintenance and
• on-demand feature upgrades.

To help automakers deliver personalized experiences that use fast or real-time analytics to learn and adapt to user preferences, we’re collaborating with Salesforce to connect our Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions and Salesforce Automotive Cloud. This gives automakers a holistic, real-time view of their driver and vehicle data so they can offer personalized experiences for every driver in the car, online and at the dealership.

“Combining real-time data collected from the vehicle and its surroundings with first-party data — such as website interaction, in-app usage and purchase or service history — allows automakers to deliver personalized experiences while strengthening trusted relationships with their customers,” says Achyut Jajoo, SVP & GM of Manufacturing and Automotive at Salesforce, adding,

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Together we are empowering automakers to customize the customer experience long after they’ve driven off the lot, helping to unlock new features and functionalities over the vehicle’s lifetime.

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Bringing AI to the edge

Leveraging data from both inside and outside the vehicle allows automakers to provide contextually relevant and personalized services to consumers such as gen AI-powered digital assistance. Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services now support enterprise plug-ins and large language model (LLM) operations on the vehicle through the expansion of our work with Cognizant, enhancing the LLM’s ability to execute tasks within the vehicles. Customers will enjoy personalized experiences through various interfaces, such as on-board gen AI services, and OEMs will have opportunities to unlock new revenue sources while using technology to help keep data more secure and private.

“Enterprise plug-ins can augment experiences for drivers and passengers in connected vehicles in ways that can meaningfully improve the automotive experience, from safety, to connectivity and entertainment,” said Vibha Rustagi, Global Head of IoT at Cognizant, adding,

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We’re working to deliver contextually-aware recommendations, leveraging the power of cloud-based services and technology designed to protect user privacy, and we’re thrilled to continue working with Qualcomm to innovate and add value through IoT for our global clients.

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Seamless and secure payments from the driver’s seat

To reduce the complexity of paying for services, we’re working with J.P. Morgan to design an in-vehicle wallet that simplifies the payment experience. Regardless of where they are in the world, a single biometric sign-on allows users to pay for in-vehicle and external services such as:

• upgraded trim packages,
• premium navigation,
• streaming content,
• EV charging,
• parking, or
• drive-thru meals.

“Leveraging Qualcomm’s identity token management platform, we’re creating interfaces that allow automakers to integrate and brand their own in-vehicle wallet to provide a certified payment solution that uses biometrics to link purchases to each occupant,” says Ali Almakky, Global Head of Payments Solutions for Mobility at J.P. Morgan. “The solution allows users to purchase in-vehicle and external services directly from apps on the vehicle’s infotainment screen, using biometrics to authenticate payments.”

Next-generation auto insurance

New insurance options provide some additional benefits for those driving Snapdragon-powered vehicles. Privacy-compliant and opted-in by the user, Qualcomm’s identity management and authentication platform leveraging Daon’s digital identity and biometric technology identifies the driver so insurance companies can extend their policy to any vehicle. More convenient and precise, this model:

• gives users the flexibility to purchase usage-based coverage and
• allows insurance companies to generate new sources of revenue.

Conor White, President, New Industries of Daon says, “Our solution seamlessly connects the driver’s policy to the vehicle they’re driving, whether it’s owned, leased, rented or used for a ridesharing service. Having insight into driving behaviors allows insurance companies to offer bonuses and discounts that stay with the driver regardless of which vehicle they’re driving.”

Fleet management made simple with Snapdragon

DRIMAES recently launched a solution that allows automakers and other fleet managers to improve operational efficiency for reduced costs and create engaging services for new revenue opportunities using the connected services platform in our Snapdragon Digital Chassis.

Using APIs from Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services, they are implementing services to streamline fleet logistics such as:

• live position and sensor tracking,
• status monitoring and dispatch.

DRIMAES also gives their customers the tools and resources to create and deliver new consumer services such as:

• usage-based insurance,
• roadside assistance, or
• vehicle maintenance.

With Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud Services, we can provide bundled solutions for automakers and leasing companies to manage their fleets more efficiently with services such as ride and driver analytics, vehicle location and remote control,

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says DRIMEAS CEO Jinwoo Im. “Fleet managers also benefit from data-driven insights that help them to better understand how their vehicles are being used so they can run targeted campaigns that promote feature upgrades and new services to their consumers.”

Looking to the future of automotive development

Unlike hardware-based vehicle advancements of the past, software-driven system design happens continuously. From concept through its full lifecycle, the experiences and services in a software-defined vehicle are always improving. Having this ability to develop in the cloud and deploy at the edge is empowering automakers to bring new features, functionality, and services into the cockpit, scaling premium experiences such as intuitive digital assistance, immersive infotainment and enhanced safety across a wide range of vehicle tiers.

Qualcomm is also working with technology companies such as Wink, using their biometrics-based user registration and authentication for user personalization and Carota to develop fleet management solutions. Our highly automated and intelligent solutions gain insight about vehicles and their passengers to inform new experiences and business models that can benefit both consumers and vehicle service providers.

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Read the original post on the Qualcomm OnQ Blog.

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About the Author
Nimish Shrivastava
Senior Director, Product Management,
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.