• The IQ-2390 combines application processing, machine vision, AI acceleration, real-time control and dual Gigabit Ethernet with Time-Sensitive Networking
  • Customer engagement is under way through early access, while evaluation kits are expected in early 2027

The fact

Qualcomm has unveiled two new Dragonwing processors for connected devices, including the IQ-2390, the first chip in its new IQ2 industrial series. The IQ-2390 combines application processing, machine vision, AI acceleration, a real-time RISC-V microcontroller and dual Gigabit Ethernet with Time-Sensitive Networking, or TSN. Qualcomm is targeting equipment including industrial controllers, gateways, machine-vision systems, building controls and energy-management systems.

The company also introduced the Q-2390 for commercial and consumer products such as point-of-sale terminals, kiosks and smart appliances. Qualcomm says the IQ-2390 is designed to operate from -30°C to 115°C and has 10-year product longevity. Customers are currently engaging through an early-access programme, and evaluation kits for both processors are expected in early 2027. Qualcomm has not announced a volume-production date or named a production deployment.

The Assessment

Qualcomm is trying to bring several jobs that industrial equipment must handle onto one processor: analysing camera feeds, running AI locally, controlling machinery and communicating over time-sensitive Ethernet. For equipment makers, that could reduce the number of separate computing components they need to design around, provided the IQ-2390 can meet the timing, reliability and software requirements of the finished system.

That still has to be demonstrated in working equipment. SECO and Engicam are developing hardware based on the IQ-2390, while Qualcomm’s own evaluation kits are due in early 2027. Manufacturers will need to test how the processor works with their sensors, software and industrial networks before committing it to products that may remain in service for years.

For BTW readers, what matters now is how equipment makers use the chip. A production controller, gateway or machine-vision system that relies on both its local AI and real-time networking would show that Qualcomm’s integration works in practice. Until then, the IQ-2390 is a broader industrial computing option, not yet evidence of widespread adoption.

What to watch

Watch for evaluation kits in early 2027 and for IQ-2390 hardware from SECO and Engicam to move into production. Named equipment makers and live deployments will be more important than additional development boards. They will show whether manufacturers are using the processor to combine AI, control and industrial networking in working systems.