Qualcomm to acquire auto-safety chipmaker AutoTalks – Times of India

Qualcomm is acquiring Autotalks, an Israeli fabless chipmaker. Autotalks specialises in developing semiconductor and system-on-a-chip technology to enhance automotive safety. Sources have revealed that Qualcomm is purchasing Autotalks for between $350 million and $400 million.
Founded in 2008, Autotalks is in the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technologies. Their systems enable vehicles to communicate with anything that can impact them or that they can impact.
Qualcomm said it plans to integrate Autotalks’ independent safety solutions into its Snapdragon Digital Chassis product range.
Nakul Duggal, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Qualcomm’s automotive division stated that they have been investing in V2X research and development and implementation since 2017.
The company believes these solutions will be essential for user safety and intelligent transportation systems as the industry progresses.
AutoTalk has received support from a range of investors, including strategic backers such as Samsung, Hyundai, and Toyota, as well as financial supporters like Gemini Israel and Magma Venture Partners.
Qualcomm’s automotive business has gained significant traction, attracting clients such as VW, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Honda, and Stellantis.
In September 2020, the company announced a $30 billion “design-win pipeline” for the automotive industry. In terms of revenue, Qualcomm’s QCT division, which covers mobile and wireless chips and related technology, generated $975 million in automotive revenue in FY21 and $1.3 billion in FY22.
“We have been investing in V2X research, development and deployment since 2017 and believe that as the automotive market matures, a standalone V2X safety architecture will be needed for enhanced road user safety, as well as smart transportation systems,” said Nakul Duggal, senior vice president & GM, automotive, Qualcomm Technologies.
Duggal adds, “We share Autotalks’ decades-long experience and commitment to build V2X technologies and products with a focus on solving real-world road user safety challenges. We look forward to working together to deliver global V2X solutions that will help accelerate time-to-market and enable mass market adoption of this very important safety technology.”