Qualcomm is poised to make a significant impact at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, with a major showcase of its latest innovations in robotics, automotive artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT) processors. The event, running from January 6 to 9, 2026, will see the chipmaking giant demonstrate how its platforms are scaling intelligence from the edge to the cloud.
Driving the Future: Qualcomm's Automotive AI Ambitions
At the heart of Qualcomm's automotive display will be its Snapdragon Digital Chassis. This comprehensive solution powers connected vehicle experiences through components like the Snapdragon Auto Connectivity Platform, Snapdragon Cockpit, and Snapdragon Ride. The company revealed that this technology is already inside more than 400 million vehicles globally across various segments.
Visitors to the Qualcomm booth will witness a concept car demo featuring complex AI capabilities running locally on the Snapdragon Cockpit Elite. The exhibition will also highlight the Cockpit Experience Development Platform (CEDP). In a notable collaboration, Google will showcase its auto software development environment using Snapdragon virtual Systems on Chips (SoCs).
Qualcomm emphasized its focus on cloud-native development for automotive applications, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). This approach allows automakers to develop, test, and validate code on virtualized digital twins of vehicle hardware. Another key demo will feature Qualcomm's AI-based data flywheel, which uses real-world driving data to improve model accuracy and help software adapt to unfamiliar road scenarios.
Powering Intelligent Devices: Dragonwing IoT Processors
Qualcomm is significantly expanding its IoT portfolio with the introduction of two new processors: the Dragonwing Q-7790 and Q-8750. These chips are engineered to deliver robust on-device AI, immersive multimedia experiences, and enhanced security for a new generation of connected devices.
The company's recent strategic acquisition of Augentix has bolstered its ability to offer specialized SoCs for intelligent cameras and advanced vision systems. At CES, attendees will get hands-on experience with prototypes of Qualcomm Dragonwing processors on Arduino UNO Q boards. These demos will showcase applications ranging from desktop PCs and real-time robotics control to connected home experiences and object tracking using a large language vision assistant (LLaVA).
A New Era for Robotics: The End-to-End Architecture
One of the most anticipated revelations from Qualcomm at CES 2026 will be the unveiling of a comprehensive, end-to-end general-purpose robotics architecture. This new framework promises to bring industry-leading power efficiency, safety, and scalability to a wide array of robots, including personal service robots, industrial Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and full-size humanoids.
The architecture will be powered by the new Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ10 Series and supported by a strong partner ecosystem. This initiative is designed to accelerate the deployment of advanced robotics solutions across critical sectors such as retail, logistics, and manufacturing. Unlike some competitors, Qualcomm will not host its own keynote at CES. However, industry watchers are keenly awaiting a special guest appearance by CEO Cristiano Amon at Lenovo Tech World on January 6 (5 PM PST / 6:30 AM IST), where further announcements may be made.
Qualcomm's expansive presence at CES 2026 underscores its strategic pivot towards becoming a foundational player in the intelligent edge ecosystem, directly challenging rivals like Nvidia and Intel in the high-stakes markets of automotive AI and next-generation robotics.
