00:10 07-01-2026

Leapmotor and Qualcomm's central EV computing platform, explained

At CES 2026, Leapmotor unveiled a development that rarely grabs mainstream headlines but could meaningfully shift the industry: a central computing platform for production EVs, created with Qualcomm. The idea is to move away from the usual sprawl of electronic control units, where multimedia, driver assistance, body functions and connectivity live in isolation and struggle to stay in sync. Consolidation here looks overdue and, if executed well, promises cleaner software and fewer compromises.

The new architecture brings key systems into a single domain: the digital cockpit, ADAS, controls for lighting, climate and doors, plus a communications gateway. At its core sits a central domain controller that concentrates computing, enabling faster feature rollouts, smoother software updates and finer calibration of the car’s behavior over its entire life cycle. It’s the kind of backbone modern EVs increasingly need.

The first model to carry this platform will be the Leapmotor D19, the brand’s upcoming flagship. It will use a dual-platform Snapdragon 8797 setup: separate compute paths for in-cabin tasks and for driving assistance. The company lists capabilities on par with consumer devices: support for up to eight displays (including 3K/4K), 18-channel audio, remote diagnostics, remote vehicle control, and a modular architecture with more than 200 service functions.

On the driver-assistance front, the focus is on a rich sensor suite: up to 13 cameras plus LiDAR, radars and ultrasonic sensors. This is intended to deliver an L2 package with more than 30 functions, including park-to-park scenarios—a hardware mix that sounds comprehensive for its class.