Deal brings the widely used MoveIt robotics platform closer to Qualcomm’s Dragonwing ecosystem as the chipmaker targets the next generation of intelligent machines
Qualcomm (QCOM) is expanding deeper into robotics and physical artificial intelligence, announcing an agreement Wednesday to acquire PickNik, a robotics software company and longtime steward of the widely used open-source MoveIt platform.
The acquisition is designed to strengthen Qualcomm’s open robotics ecosystem while making it easier for developers to move from AI research and prototyping to commercial deployment. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
MoveIt, built on the Robot Operating System, or ROS, provides tools for robotic motion planning, manipulation, perception and real-time control. Following the acquisition, Qualcomm expects to integrate MoveIt more closely with its Dragonwing Robotics platforms, combining advanced AI processing, connectivity and heterogeneous computing with PickNik’s software capabilities.
Qualcomm said MoveIt 1 and MoveIt 2 will remain open-source and community-driven, while continuing to support third-party hardware platforms.
The company also plans to bring MoveIt capabilities to Arduino platforms, beginning with VENTUNO Q boards, potentially expanding advanced robotics development to millions of developers.
The acquisition reinforces Qualcomm’s broader diversification beyond smartphones as the company targets opportunities in AI infrastructure, automotive, industrial systems and robotics.
Qualcomm recently set a fiscal 2029 target of $8 billion in revenue from industrial, networking and robotics businesses, positioning physical AI as an increasingly important part of its long-term growth strategy.
