Qualcomm to acquire Israeli auto-chip maker Autotalks
Technology
Qualcomm to acquire Israeli auto-chip maker Autotalks
(Reuters) - Chip designer Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) said on Monday it would buy Israel's Autotalks Ltd which makes chips used in technology aimed at preventing vehicle crashes, as the U.S. firm looks to deepen its automotive business.
With an increasing number of electric vehicles and automatic features in cars, the number of chips used by automakers is surging, making the automotive market a key growth area for chipmakers.
Autotalks makes dedicated chips used in the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications technology for manned and driverless vehicles to improve road safety.
"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," Nakul Duggal, senior vice-president - automotive, Qualcomm Technologies, said in a statement.
Qualcomm had said last year that its automotive business "pipeline" had increased to $30 billion, up more than $10 billion since an announcement in late July.
The company credited the jump to its Snapdragon Digital Chassis product used by car makers and their suppliers. The Snapdragon Digital Chassis can provide assisted and autonomous driving technology, as well as in-car infotainment and cloud connectivity.
Qualcomm on Monday said it would incorporate Autotalks' solutions into the Snapdragon Digital Chassis product portfolio but did not elaborate on the financials of the deal.
The acquisition will be made through its unit Qualcomm Technologies, Qualcomm added.
