The chipset gives vehicles 360-degree non-line-of-sight awareness, as well as the ability communicate with one another and with infrastructure like traffic lights. Automakers could eventually use it to act as their autonomous cars' safety systems. Nakul Duggal, the company's VP for product management for automotive, told CNBC Qualcomm expects to be "a key player in the autonomous space." The chipmaker has already begun conducting field trials of the chipset on Ford vehicles in San Diego County and will likely conduct tests in other parts of California. Qualcomm also plans to send test vehicles to Michigan, China, Germany, Italy and Japan to be able to gather data on the chipset's performance in various locations and conditions.