Observed Signal · Mar 3, 2026 · Product Launch · Source: CNBC Technology · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Qualcomm Eyes Robotics Boom in Next Two Years
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said robotics will become a “larger opportunity” for the chipmaker within the next two years, as the company expands beyond smartphones. In January, Qualcomm introduced a robotics processor under the Dragonwing brand aimed at supporting multiple robotics platforms. Amon attributed increased momentum in robotics to advances in AI models that enable robots to better perceive and act in the physical world. The article cites market estimates: McKinsey projects general-purpose robots could reach $370 billion by 2040, and RBC Capital Markets forecasts a $9 trillion total addressable market for humanoid robots by 2050. The piece also notes industry interest from other chipmakers, with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang identifying robotics as a potential growth area, and mentions robotics displays and a teased humanoid from Honor at Mobile World Congress.
Qualcomm expanding into robotics with a Dragonwing processor signals growing hardware demand driven by AI and could open new markets beyond smartphones, but it is not immediately industry-shifting for the broader AdTech sector.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Qualcomm launched a robotics processor under the Dragonwing brand in January.
- Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said robotics will become a larger opportunity for the company within two years.
- McKinsey projects the market for general-purpose robots could reach $370 billion by 2040.
- RBC Capital Markets forecast a global total addressable market for humanoid robots of $9 trillion by 2050.
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has said robotics is a major potential source of growth for Nvidia.
Connected Companies & Entities
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Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Qualcomm and Neura Robotics: Pioneering the Future of AI
German robotics startup Neura Robotics has formed a partnership with semiconductor company Qualcomm to jointly develop next-generation robots and 'physical AI.' Under the agreement, Neura will use Qualcomm’s Dragonwing Robotics IQ10 processors as reference designs; the IQ10 series, announced at CES earlier in the year, targets autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and humanoids. Neura will also leverage its Neuraverse robotic simulation and training platform (released June 2025) to test and fine-tune robots running on Qualcomm’s chips. The collaboration aims to combine Neura’s cognitive robotics software with Qualcomm’s edge AI and connectivity expertise to accelerate safe deployment of humanoid and general-purpose robots in domestic and industrial settings. The deal is presented as part of a broader trend of robotics startups partnering with large tech firms (e.g., Boston Dynamics with Google DeepMind) to integrate chip, connectivity and AI capabilities into physical robots.
Qualcomm unveils Dragonfly CPU; doubles 2029 forecast
Qualcomm revealed a data-center central processing unit called the Dragonfly C1000 and said Meta will use it when it enters production in 2028. The chip is positioned for agentic AI workloads and emphasizes energy-efficient compute. At its shareholder meeting and investor presentation, Qualcomm raised its fiscal 2029 non-handset revenue target to $40 billion (previously $22 billion), is targeting $15 billion in data-center sales and increased automotive design-win pipeline expectations to $65 billion with a $10 billion revenue goal for automotive by fiscal 2029. The company also acquired software startup Modular (price undisclosed), which Qualcomm said provides software to run AI applications across chip architectures. Shares rose about 15% in extended trading after the announcements.
Qualcomm: AI Agents to Replace Apps; 40+ AI Devices
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon told CNBC the company is working on more than 40 designs for new AI-powered devices — including jewelry, earbuds with cameras, pins and watches — as it prepares for a wave of AI "agents" that he says will become the "new app." Amon argued agents will change how consumers interact with devices and could shift the centre of digital life away from smartphones toward always‑with‑you endpoints like smart glasses. He said Qualcomm is upgrading its chip roadmap for smaller, more energy‑efficient devices and noted these new endpoints will generate exponentially larger data for training models. Amon also said smart glasses shipments could scale from multiple tens of millions today to potentially hundreds of millions within a few years. Published 2026-06-16.
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