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Garmin and Qualcomm Unveil Their Nexus Automotive Platform

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, Garmin, a global leader in automotive technology, revealed its latest advancement in collaboration with Qualcomm: the Nexus automotive-grade High-Performance Compute (HPC) platform. This innovative solution is poised to revolutionize the in-vehicle computing landscape by integrating various vehicle functions into a single, streamlined system.

Advancements in Automotive Technology

The Nexus platform is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Elite technology and promises a substantial increase in computing performance—up to six times greater than the previous Unified Cabin domain controller. This leap in technology is designed not only to improve efficiency but also to enhance the overall user experience inside vehicles. The consolidation of multiple vehicle domains such as in-vehicle infotainment systems, instrument clusters, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) into a unified platform signifies a monumental shift in automotive innovation.

Targeted for implementation in 2029, the Nexus platform includes advanced features driven by the Snapdragon Elite technology. The platform is customizable and meets ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) compliance, ensuring safety while delivering cutting-edge capabilities. These features enable precise localization, enhanced perception, vehicle control, and advanced map functionalities. The architecture supports both single and dual SoC (System on Chip) configurations, making it adaptable for various levels of vehicle autonomy.

Enhancing Driver Experience

One of the highlights of this partnership is the introduction of a state-of-the-art liquid cooling system engineered by Garmin. This addition ensures that the Nexus platform can maintain high performance under prolonged load conditions, addressing a critical need for sustained operation in high-performance vehicles.

Matt Munn, Garmin's Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Automotive OEM, expressed enthusiasm about this expansion, stating, 'Garmin and Qualcomm have a strong history of collaboration, and the introduction of the Nexus platform signifies our commitment to providing automakers with unparalleled technology solutions.' Munn emphasized the importance of scalability and integration, which are vital for the evolving automotive landscape.

A New Benchmark for In-Vehicle Technology

Qualcomm’s Nakul Duggal also remarked on the success of their collaboration, indicating that the Nexus platform represents a new benchmark for software-defined vehicle architecture. The combination of Qualcomm's Snapdragon Elite automotive platforms with Garmin's extensive expertise aims to create advanced in-vehicle experiences, incorporating generative AI for personalized interactions and heightened driver awareness.

The Nexus HPC platform will be showcased at Garmin's booth (3451) at CES 2026, an event that has become synonymous with groundbreaking technological advancements in the automotive industry. This year, the presence of cutting-edge solutions promises to attract significant attention from manufacturers and technology enthusiasts alike.

Looking Ahead

Garmin's relationship with Qualcomm began in 2019, focusing initially on domain controllers, and has since evolved to incorporate innovative solutions in digital cockpit infrastructure. The collaboration has produced several iterations of the Garmin Unified Cabin system, integrating advanced features that enhance the user experience with a multi-zone, multi-user architecture.

Garmin continues to leverage its extensive experience in user interface design and hardware engineering across diverse sectors, including automotive, aviation, and marine environments. With operations spanning across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, Garmin Automotive OEM delivers comprehensive infotainment and computing solutions to leading automotive manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Honda, and Toyota, among others.

As the automotive landscape continues to evolve towards smart, connected vehicles, the Nexus platform stands out as a pivotal development, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and user-centric technology. For more information about the Nexus platform and Garmin's automotive solutions, interested parties can visit Garmin's website or follow their updates on LinkedIn.