Qualcomm Unveils Dragonwing IQ-X: AI-Powered Edge Computing for Smarter Factories

November 13, 2025
Qualcomm Unveils Dragonwing IQ-X: AI-Powered Edge Computing for Smarter Factories
  • Designed for a wide temperature range and rugged use, the IQ-X is positioned for industrial PCs in automation and robotics contexts.

  • The processors are designed for harsh environments with -40°C to 105°C range using ARM architecture.

  • The platform uses 8 to 12 Qualcomm Oryon performance cores and supports Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC for enterprise workflows.

  • Qualcomm unveiled the Dragonwing IQ-X family, its first industrial PC processor line built on the Oryon architecture, delivering up to 45 TOPS of AI compute for edge AI in factory automation and smart manufacturing.

  • The IQ-X silicon combines a 4nm Oryon CPU with 8 to 12 high-performance cores and an integrated NPU to run on-device AI workloads like predictive maintenance, condition monitoring, and defect detection.

  • Key specifications include an industrial temperature range of -40°C to 105°C and rugged packaging designed for harsh industrial environments.

  • Qualcomm emphasizes long product life-cycle support, enhanced security features, and strong connectivity to meet industrial use-case demands.

  • Industry impact is expected to be significant: smarter factories could improve supply chain predictability, reduce downtime, raise quality, and propagate benefits to consumer devices and systems.

  • The architecture leverages Qualcomm’s Oryon cores with an Hexagon NPU offering up to 45 TOPS to detect defects and irregularities in manufacturing through AI.

  • The platform targets demanding environments with operation across extreme temperatures, suitable for hot factory floors.

  • A lightweight reference device, Arduino Uno Q, is mentioned for price comparison, highlighting an ecosystem emphasis around embedded/edge solutions.

  • IQ-X aims to reduce OEM/ODM time-to-market and complexity by enabling upgrades via standard plug-in modules without redesigning hardware.

  • The solution is built for harsh industrial settings with rugged packaging, broad peripheral support, and deployment flexibility across PLCs and edge controllers.

  • It emphasizes compatibility with industry-standard COM module form factors to enable easy integration and drop-in replacement on existing carrier boards.

  • The deployment model envisions long-term partnerships, with multi-year engagements and extended refresh cycles compared with consumer markets.

  • Qualcomm hosted a Snapdragon X Architecture Deep Dive in San Diego, signaling deeper engagement with press and partners.

  • IQ-X is designed for rapid customization and scalability to reduce BOMs and time-to-market for factory automation, robotics, and intelligent edge deployments.

  • The platform supports industrial-grade temperature ranges, drop-in compatibility with common Computer-on-Module form factors, and provides an evaluation kit for scalable deployment.

  • With up to 45 TOPS AI performance, the IQ-X highlights strong NPU capabilities for real-time, edge AI tasks.

  • Qualcomm presents IQ-X as a ready-made, AI-friendly platform to scale intelligent factory solutions from existing starting points.

  • Compared to consumer lines, Dragonwing IQ-X raises maximum operating temperature to -40°C to 105°C due to packaging adjustments.

  • Local AI acceleration up to 45 TOPS enables multi-dimensional sensor data analysis at the edge.

  • Core features include strong single- and multi-thread performance, rugged packaging, extensive peripheral support, multimedia capabilities, and power efficiency.

  • The processor is built on a 4nm process, includes an integrated NPU to run AI frameworks at the edge, and supports Windows 11 IoT, Qt, CODESYS, and EtherCAT.

  • In summary, Dragonwing IQ-X combines ARM-based Oryon cores and NPU with enterprise-friendly software support for industrial deployment.

  • Qualcomm has not announced an exact launch date; first products are expected in the coming months.

  • Industrial applications envisioned include predictive maintenance, condition-based monitoring, and broader intelligent edge deployments in factory automation and robotics.

  • Notebookcheck coverage by Silvio Werner, dated November 13, 2025, notes the journalist’s focus on mini-PCs and single-board computers in this Qualcomm showpiece.

  • Software and toolchains include Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC, Qt, Codesys, EtherCAT, with ONNX and PyTorch runtimes via the Qualcomm AI Software Stack for edge AI.

  • The IQ-X supports Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC and aims for compatibility with industry-standard embedded modules to replace carrier boards and cut BOM costs.

  • It enables reuse of existing Windows software stacks and industrial protocols on AI-capable, power-efficient edge modules.

  • Adoption is led by major OEMs and ODMs, including Advantech, Congatec, Kontron, Nexcom, Portwell, Seco, Tria, with commercial devices expected to roll out soon.

  • Initial adopters include the above companies, signaling a broad industrial roll-out in the coming months.

  • German-language confirmation notes that first Dragonwing IQ-X devices are anticipated to appear by the near future as manufacturers start shipping.

  • Qualcomm’s stack integrates with ONNX and PyTorch to bring NPU-accelerated AI to industrial hardware for real-time edge inference.

  • The IQ-X family offers Compute Module compatibility with existing carrier boards and plans an Evaluation Kit to support early pilot studies.

  • An evaluation kit will accompany the rollout to assist early implementation and testing across projects.

  • Overall, Dragonwing IQ-X is framed as a strategic move to embed modern computing into industrial environments, accelerating a broader digital transformation in manufacturing.

Summary based on 8 sources


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