Report : Qualcomm Robot Technology
Qualcomm Inc executives showed off robots made with smartphone technology at an annual developer conference, but they steered clear of talking about China, a key growth market where the chipmaker is entangled in an antitrust investigation.
With an explosion in smartphones in recent years tapering off, Qualcomm and handset manufacturers are eager to show consumers and investors that they have more innovation in store to drive demand for new devices.
The company discussed progress in 4G LTE and technology and 3D cameras, but demonstrations of robots made with Qualcomm smartphone technology stole much of the show.
Chief executive Steve Mollenkopf demonstrated a three-wheeled robot that picked up and sorted a number of small toys such as stuffed animals and building blocks, based on their shapes.
In another demonstration, engineers quickly trained a one-foot tall robot decked out with wheels, glowing ears and camera sensors to come and go based on simple hand gestures. Global smartphone shipments will increase 19% this year, less than last year's 39% growth and driven by the adoption in developing countries of handsets selling for under Rs. 9118.50, according to Juniper Research. Qualcomm normally sticks to future products and upcoming technology at forums aimed at developers, but the investigation is a major concern on Wall Street. Senior executives held a lunch with financial analysts at the event, but Mollenkopf did not attend.
"The big elephant in the room is China," said Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon. "Who cares about anything else right now?"
A Qualcomm spokeswoman at the event declined to discuss the investigation in China, where Qualcomm also faces growing competition from smaller rivals such as MediaTek and other small manufacturing low-cost processors.
With an explosion in smartphones in recent years tapering off, Qualcomm and handset manufacturers are eager to show consumers and investors that they have more innovation in store to drive demand for new devices.
The company discussed progress in 4G LTE and technology and 3D cameras, but demonstrations of robots made with Qualcomm smartphone technology stole much of the show.
Chief executive Steve Mollenkopf demonstrated a three-wheeled robot that picked up and sorted a number of small toys such as stuffed animals and building blocks, based on their shapes.
In another demonstration, engineers quickly trained a one-foot tall robot decked out with wheels, glowing ears and camera sensors to come and go based on simple hand gestures. Global smartphone shipments will increase 19% this year, less than last year's 39% growth and driven by the adoption in developing countries of handsets selling for under Rs. 9118.50, according to Juniper Research. Qualcomm normally sticks to future products and upcoming technology at forums aimed at developers, but the investigation is a major concern on Wall Street. Senior executives held a lunch with financial analysts at the event, but Mollenkopf did not attend.
"The big elephant in the room is China," said Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon. "Who cares about anything else right now?"
A Qualcomm spokeswoman at the event declined to discuss the investigation in China, where Qualcomm also faces growing competition from smaller rivals such as MediaTek and other small manufacturing low-cost processors.
