Qualcomm and Google have extended their collaboration to develop a RISC-V Snapdragon Wear platform, aimed at powering the next generation of Wear OS solutions. This partnership marks a significant step forward in enhancing the Android ecosystem with custom, energy-efficient, high-performance CPUs.
The development of this RISC-V-based wearables solution is already in progress, with the joint efforts of Qualcomm and Google aimed at ensuring a rich software ecosystem for RISC-V, available for commercial deployment. Qualcomm plans to offer this RISC-V solution globally.
As a prominent provider of smartwatch silicon for the Wear OS ecosystem, Qualcomm Technologies is committed to advancing wearable technology. This collaboration builds upon their longstanding partnership with Google, solidifying their role as leaders in smartwatch platforms.
Notably, both companies are part of the RISC-V Software Ecosystem (RISE), a consortium of industry leaders fostering innovation and competition in the market. Qualcomm Technologies also recently announced investments in a new company dedicated to advancing RISC-V hardware development.
RISC-V, as an open-source instruction set architecture, promotes innovation by enabling companies to create fully customized cores. This openness, flexibility, and scalability benefit the entire value chain, from silicon vendors to OEMs, end devices, and consumers.
The timing of the commercial launch of the RISC-V-based wearable solution will be disclosed at a later date, signaling an exciting development in the wearable technology landscape.
Regarding the matter, Bjorn Kilburn, GM of Wear OS by Google said,
Qualcomm Technologies have been a pillar of the Wear OS ecosystem, providing high performance, low power systems for many of our OEM partners. We are excited to extend our work with Qualcomm Technologies and bring a RISC-V wearable solution to market.
Regarding the collaboration, Dino Bekis, Vice President and General Manager, Wearables and Mixed Signal Solutions, Qualcomm Technologies said,
We are excited to leverage RISC-V and expand our Snapdragon Wear platform as a leading silicon provider for Wear OS. Our Snapdragon Wear platform innovations will help the Wear OS ecosystem rapidly evolve and streamline new device launches globally.