SAN DIEGO, CA, Sep 28, 2026 – Qualcomm has agreed to acquire PickNik Inc., the company that maintains MoveIt, the open-source framework for robot motion planning. Under the deal, MoveIt and PickNik’s commercial MoveIt Pro platform would be integrated with Qualcomm’s Dragonwing robotics platforms.
The two companies plan to pair MoveIt’s motion planning, manipulation, perception and kinematics functions with Dragonwing’s AI, connectivity and real-time capabilities. MoveIt integration with Arduino starts with the VENTUNO Q boards, and the work is aimed at robotics, edge AI and heterogeneous computing.
“Robotics is one of the most exciting frontiers of physical AI, and software is the connective tissue that turns great hardware into great robots,” said Nakul Duggal, EVP and group GM, automotive, industrial and embedded IoT, and robotics, Qualcomm Technologies. “PickNik has earned tremendous trust within the global robotics community through its stewardship of MoveIt and its commitment to open-source innovation. Together, we plan to make it easier for developers to build advanced robotic applications on Dragonwing robotics platforms, while continuing to support the openness and collaboration that have made MoveIt successful.”
“Since our founding, PickNik’s mission has been to provide industries with a powerful, open platform that accelerates innovation and development of advanced robotics, well beyond traditional factories,” said Dave Coleman, founder and chief product officer, PickNik. “Joining Qualcomm Technologies will allow us to accelerate that mission, expand investment in MoveIt as a leading AI training platform for robotics, and deliver even more value to developers while preserving the openness, community collaboration, and cross-platform support that have always been central to our approach.”
“MoveIt is entering an exciting new chapter with the resources and support to help expand its impact,” said Dave Grant, chief executive officer, PickNik. “We look forward to joining Qualcomm Technologies and building on MoveIt’s momentum.”
Qualcomm and PickNik are founding members of the Open Source Robotics Alliance. Qualcomm intends to continue work on alliance projects, including Space ROS, a version of ROS for applications such as space exploration.
Source: Qualcomm
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc., is an American semiconductor and wireless technology company headquartered in San Diego, CA. Established in 1985, the company specializes in designing and supplying integrated circuits and system software for wireless telecommunications. Its product portfolio includes Snapdragon processors, modems, and platforms utilized in smartphones, automotive systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and industrial equipment. Qualcomm operates primarily through two segments: Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT), which focuses on semiconductor products, and Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL), which manages its patent portfolio. The company serves a global clientele across various industries, including mobile, automotive, computing, and industrial sectors, leveraging its expertise in 5G, AI and low-power computing to drive innovation and connectivity worldwide.
About PickNik Robotics
PickNik Robotics develops robot control software and provides engineering services. Founded in 2015, the company has its headquarters in Boulder, CO. Its products, MoveIt Pro and MoveIt Pro Core, support motion planning, object recognition, grasping and remote operation. Engineers use the software to simulate tasks, collect training data and test applications. PickNik also develops custom applications, integrates hardware and provides training. It serves manufacturing, warehousing, commercial cleaning, space exploration and medical technology customers. The company contributes to open-source robotics projects, including ROS and MoveIt. PickNik reports that more than 250 companies use its software.
