Duggal says technology, software, and electrical architecture are among “the key differentiators” automakers will have to consider in a future where how a car drives no longer sets it apart from its rivals. “We have been working with every automaker for the past dozen years or so. We are clearly seeing trends that are common across what everybody needs. We include that in our platform, we provide a tremendous amount of software capability, integration capability—and that just allows automakers to move faster.”

To give you some indication of how popular Qualcomm's automotive system is appearing to be, customers for its Digital Chassis include Sony Honda Mobility, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, Cadillac, and Stellantis, a group that includes Peugeot, Fiat, Citroen, Jeep, Dodge, Maserati, and Chrysler among others. Qualcomm also says it has received support for the new platform from BMW, Hyundai Motor Group, Nio, and Volvo.

At a time when automakers are still struggling with semiconductor shortages, these manufacturers clearly hope to benefit from the supposed inherent simplicity offered by the Digital Chassis. 

Duggal told WIRED how the platform drastically lowers the number of electronic control units (ECUs) used to form the “brain” of a car. “In the past, you would have a dozen different ECUs that were responsible for everything from displays to parking, to driver monitoring, to the audio and speakers,” says Duggal. “All of that is getting integrated into a common platform. We are now seeing next-generation EE architectures get reduced down to less than five main subsystems—cockpit for the in-car experience, telematics for in-car and cloud connectivity, driver assistance and automated driving systems, in-car networking, and zonal controllers being the main ones.” 

The Digital Chassis also brings together a car’s various technology systems—including telematics, navigation, multimedia, EV charging, and autonomy—into an internet-connected platform. 

Qualcomm has designed Digital Chassis to run on a set of system-on-chips (SoCs), and it can be customized based on the requirements of carmakers and their tier-one suppliers, with headroom for future upgrades delivered over-the-air. Ultimately, by bundling more systems onto fewer chips, the Digital Chassis supposedly intends to save car makers money.