Qualcomm launches Dragonwing to dominate edge computing market

In early 2025, Qualcomm formalized its strategy to extend its market reach beyond smartphones by launching the Dragonwing brand portfolio at Mobile World Congress. This new initiative focuses on catering specifically to the industrial and embedded sectors, representing a shift for a company known mainly for its mobile technology. Under this new brand, Qualcomm aims to combine elements of innovation and performance, as illustrated by its stylized dragon logo and bold purple design. The brand's purpose is to communicate more effectively with enterprise customers and foster long-term growth across various sectors. The introduction of Dragonwing signifies Qualcomm's commitment to driving transformation in industries such as automotive and telecommunications while further leveraging its technological advancements. Notably, the brand encompasses Qualcomm's infrastructure for 5G and edge computing, including the X85 5G Modem-RF, capable of supporting mmWave coverage up to 14 kilometers and achieving download speeds of up to 12.5 Gbps. These features are critical for increasing the adoption of Qualcomm's technology in sectors demanding faster and more reliable connectivity. In addition to launching Dragonwing, Qualcomm announced its acquisition of Edge Impulse, an influential platform in the edge AI development space. This acquisition is significant as it enhances Qualcomm's existing capabilities in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, positioning the company to better meet the needs of engineers and developers in industrial automation and smart infrastructure. The acquisition is expected to streamline AI development at the edge, further propelling Qualcomm’s presence within the Internet of Things (IoT) market. Overall, Qualcomm’s dual strategy of launching Dragonwing and acquiring Edge Impulse highlights its efforts to enhance innovation and growth outside the mobility sector. With these moves, Qualcomm not only seeks to capture a larger share in edge computing and industrial applications but also aims to solidify its standing as a leader in AI-powered technologies. The brand's recent earnings reflect this ambition, as Qualcomm reported $1.55 billion in revenue from its IoT segment in Q1 fiscal 2025, indicating a growing demand for its products and services in an expanding market.