The News: Qualcomm and JLR announce that the companies will work together to bring 5G capabilities to select next-generation JLR vehicles across its brands: Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar. Read the full Press Release on the Qualcomm website.
IAA Mobility 2023: Qualcomm and JLR Transform In-Vehicle XP with 5G
Analyst Take: Qualcomm and JLR are putting their alliance in high gear to drive advanced and integrated digital cockpit and infotainment systems across JLR’s new vehicles. The new push reinforces JLR’s vision of building sustainability-rich vehicles that deliver modern luxury by design. Through Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF, JLR is committed to using 5G, Wi-Fi, and cellular vehicle to everything (C-V2X) capabilities that can ensure enhanced safety, multimedia streaming, cloud gaming, and positioning.
The Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF is a key component of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis technology stack. Thanks to its ultra-high speeds and ultra-low latency, the platform is designed to power immersive always-connected in-vehicle driving experiences. The Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF system’s powerful Wi-Fi and direct vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-roadside infrastructure (V2I) capabilities provide JLR vehicles with the ability to take full advantage of connected services for both personalized and upgradable in-vehicle experience and advanced safety and mobility.
We find that Qualcomm’s focus on the automotive sector with its Digital Chassis suite of platforms; extensive solutions portfolio in silicon, connectivity, power management, and AI; and breadth of partnerships with global automakers appear to be giving the San Diego company an edge, especially in the luxury and premium markets.
As cars become increasingly intelligent, 5G capability and innovative technology solutions enable automakers to not only differentiate themselves but also deliver best-in-class services at every price tier. For JLR, which tends to cater to higher tiers in the auto market, the pressure is on to deliver seamless, fully connected, modern luxury experiences to discerning customers while staying true to the history, tradition, and quality narratives of JLR brands. Next-generation telematics systems and 5G connectivity capabilities are driving passenger-facing ways that JLR will be able to deliver premium connected and intelligent in-vehicle experiences to customers.
We expect that drivers and passengers reap the benefits of direct, low latency connectivity present outside the car, with vehicles connecting to each other and their surroundings for safer driving experiences, generating the real-time data that is critical to informing new connected-car services plus higher levels of autonomy. JLR vehicles with 5G connectivity based on Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions can be expected on the road in 2025.
Notably, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ will also leverage several core automotive platforms from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions stack in one vehicle. This development points to both the growing appeal for automakers to streamline the design of their software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and to the accelerating maturity of Qualcomm’s portfolio of automotive solutions. In the rapidly evolving SDV market segment, Qualcomm also works with Mercedes Benz, Volvo, and BMW.
Key Takeaway: Qualcomm and JLR Poised to Benefit from New C-V2X Momentum
From our view, C-V2X technology requires the lower latency and greater bandwidth capabilities of 5G networks to ensure optimal outcomes, especially related to public safety. In April 2023, three Federal Communications Commission (FCC) bureaus — the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, the Office of Engineering and Technology, and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau — granted a joint request submitted by automotive manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, and state departments of transportation seeking a nationwide waiver of several FCC rules to permit deployment of C-V2X technology in the upper 30 MHz of spectrum in the 5.895 Ghz-5.925 GHz band.
We commend JLR, Audi of America, Ford, the Utah and Virginia departments of transportation, and eight other electronics companies for petitioning the Joint Waiver Request, which released that upper 30 MHz from the requirement to use Wi-Fi affiliated dynamic short-range communications (DSRC). The April 2023 order frees this spectrum for immediate C-V2X development, fundamentally minting a winner in the long-running DSRC versus 5G V2X communication battle.
For example, various Audis already communicate with one another via the cellular-based Car2X technology, which can also take advantage of transport infrastructure communications already up and running in 25 states. Audi, working in conjunction with Qualcomm, the Virginia Department of Transportation and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, and American Tower Corporation, is rolling out a fleet of Audi Q8 test cars outfitted for C-V2X communications that promise to improve safety for vulnerable road users such as work-zone construction workers, bicyclists, and even school kids.
We expect to see the number of vehicles with C-V2X to ramp up rapidly, and an expanding array of states and jurisdictions to implement communications that alert drivers of nearby work- and school-zones, emergency vehicles, and other vital information.
As such, we believe that the 5G capabilities supported by the Snapdragon Digital Chassis will become increasingly critical to driving JLR SDV innovation and enabling the intelligence that is key to delivering the fully connected, modern luxury vehicle experience.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
Other insights from The Futurum Group:
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis Will Power the 2025 Escalade IQ
5G Factor: Qualcomm, Ethernovia, Cadillac Prep AI-Infused SDV Highway Star Era
Recogni Launches Pegasus PCIe Card to Spur Autonomous Mobility Innovation
Author Information
Ron is an experienced, customer-focused research expert and analyst, with over 20 years of experience in the digital and IT transformation markets, working with businesses to drive consistent revenue and sales growth.
Ron holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy from University of Nevada — Las Vegas and a Bachelor of Arts in political science/government from William and Mary.
Olivier Blanchard is Research Director, Intelligent Devices. He covers edge semiconductors and intelligent AI-capable devices for Futurum. In addition to having co-authored several books about digital transformation and AI with Futurum Group CEO Daniel Newman, Blanchard brings considerable experience demystifying new and emerging technologies, advising clients on how best to future-proof their organizations, and helping maximize the positive impacts of technology disruption while mitigating their potentially negative effects. Follow his extended analysis on X and LinkedIn.
