Qualcomm strengthens edge AI capabilities with Edge Impulse acquisition
- Qualcomm is transitioning edge AI from custom solutions to scalable platforms.
- Significant acquisitions and collaborations are shaping Qualcomm's edge AI strategy.
- The future of AI at the edge is crucial for industries requiring real-time decision-making.
Qualcomm, an American multinational semiconductor company, has been actively investing in expanding its edge AI software ecosystem. In March 2024, Qualcomm acquired Foundries.io, a company providing embedded Linux OS tools and services. This was followed by the launch of industrial-grade System on Chips (SoCs) under the IQ Series in October 2024 and the establishment of the Dragonwing brand for industrial AI in February 2025. In a significant move to enhance its capabilities, Qualcomm acquired Edge Impulse in March 2025, which focuses on edge AI development frameworks. This acquisition is part of a broader strategy to address longstanding scalability issues in IoT products while promoting AI solutions that allow developers to create applications more efficiently by eliminating the need for extensive embedded engineering. Qualcomm's collaborations, including a partnership with Palantir to integrate enterprise AI solutions, further aims to expand the applicability of its edge AI platforms in various industries such as transportation, energy management, and safety-critical applications. This strategic focus is pivotal as AI at the edge becomes an essential component of industries requiring low-latency decision-making and autonomous operations without reliance on cloud servers.