Popular chipset maker Qualcomm has received permission to test autonomous vehicles on public roads in California in its efforts to enter the self-driving car market. California’s Department of Motor Vehicles has issued the permit authorizing testing for one vehicle and three drivers.
Back in September, Qualcomm announced the 9150 C-V2X chipset which lets cars communicate with other cars as well as infrastructure like traffic lights. This technology is said to be working alongside the chipset that is dedicated to autonomy by improving safety. Qualcomm has already begun field trials of Ford vehicles with company’s chipsets in San Diego County and the company will also expand to Michigan, China, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Qualcomm technology is currently aimed at telematics and infotainment systems. The company has also had plans to acquire NXP, which sells several automotive components, however, the deal never got sealed. Apart from Qualcomm, Nvidia also has the permit to test self-driving cars in California which it got just over a year ago, Samsung joined the list earlier this year. Nvidia has several automotive partners, including Tesla, Toyota, and Volvo.
Nakul Duggal, Qualcomm’s vice president of product management for automotive said: “We certainly expect to be a key player in the autonomous space.” However, he declined to comment about the company’s products and its products that could enable autonomous driving.