Qualcomm to Acquire U.S. Embodied AI Firm Picknik

Qualcomm is set to acquire U.S. embodied AI company Picknik, according to Wallstreetcn. Picknik develops robotics software such as the MoveIt motion-planning framework, widely used for robotic manipulation. The acquisition would add key software capabilities to Qualcomm's robotics and edge-AI portfolio, which includes the RB5 robotics platform. Financial terms and timing were not disclosed in the flash report. The deal reflects growing consolidation in embodied AI, as chipmakers seek to pair low-power compute with advanced perception, planning, and control. For Qualcomm, owning Picknik's team and tools could accelerate development of reference designs for collaborative robots, logistics automation, and other physical AI systems. If completed, the acquisition would mark another step in Qualcomm's strategy to move beyond smartphones into automotive, IoT, and robotics markets. Neither company has commented publicly on the report.