ZF and Qualcomm Partner on Advanced Driver Assistance Technology

ZF and Qualcomm Technologies have announced a collaboration to develop an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) solution that combines artificial intelligence computing capabilities with perception technology for automated driving applications.

The partnership centers on integrating Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride system-on-chips with ZF's ProAI supercomputer to create a platform designed to support various levels of vehicle automation, from basic regulatory functions to Level 3 automated driving. The solution is intended to provide automakers with flexibility in deploying driver assistance features across different vehicle types.

According to the companies, the ZF ProAI supercomputer can function as a domain, zone, or central controller while supporting computer vision, sensor fusion, and decision-making capabilities. The highest configuration offers computing power exceeding 1,500 TOPS (tera operations per second) and can accommodate multiple performance boards for multi-domain applications.

The collaboration incorporates ZF's portfolio of approximately 25 ADAS functions, including safety, comfort, and parking features. The most advanced capability is hands-off navigate on autopilot, with automakers able to select specific functions in a modular fashion for individual vehicle models.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride Pilot system provides camera-based AI perception for object detection, lane recognition, sign identification, parking assistance, and driver monitoring. The technology scales from single forward-facing camera configurations to multi-camera systems and has been deployed in over 60 countries for regulatory safety functions.

The platform's open architecture allows for integration of third-party software and supports over-the-air updates. Development tools include simulation environments and APIs designed to accelerate the prototyping and validation process for ADAS features.

"By combining our strengths in high-performance automotive computing, perception, and computer vision, we're enabling automakers to deliver intelligent, safer, and more cost-effective driver assistance systems across their vehicle portfolios," said Anshuman Saxena, VP and General Manager of ADAS & Robotics at Qualcomm Technologies.

Dr. Christian Brenneke, head of ZF's Electronics & ADAS Division, stated that the combination of ZF's computing platform with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride platform "offers our customers additional design options for ADAS and infotainment systems in vehicles."

The companies also announced plans to extend their cooperation to develop a multi-domain solution that integrates ADAS with in-vehicle infotainment systems.

ZF reported sales of €41.4 billion in fiscal 2024 and employs approximately 161,600 people worldwide across 161 production locations in 30 countries.