Qualcomm Technologies to Acquire PickNik, Strengthening Robotics Software Push

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire PickNik Inc., a robotics software company and longtime steward of MoveIt, one of the world's most widely adopted open-source robotics manipulation frameworks.

The acquisition is intended to strengthen Qualcomm Technologies' commitment to an open robotics ecosystem, providing developers with the tools, software, and frameworks needed to move more efficiently from research and experimentation to prototyping, deployment, and production at scale. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

In addition to remaining open-source, MoveIt is expected to offer streamlined integration with Dragonwing robotics platforms, providing developers a more efficient path from AI models such as vision-language-action (VLA) and vision-language models (VLM) to planning, manipulation, and real-time control. Built atop the Robot Operating System (ROS), MoveIt has been used extensively by developers, students, researchers, and commercial organizations in industrial automation, service robotics, mobile manipulation, and emerging physical AI systems.

Qualcomm Technologies intends for MoveIt to remain open-source under its existing license with community-driven roadmaps and open resources, and plans to continue supporting the framework across third-party hardware providers. As part of the acquisition, MoveIt, MoveIt Pro, and future PickNik technologies are poised to become more closely integrated with Dragonwing robotics platforms. Starting with Arduino VENTUNO Q boards, MoveIt integration with Arduino aims to extend motion planning and autonomy capabilities to millions of developers.

Nakul Duggal, EVP and Group GM, Automotive, Industrial and Embedded IoT, and Robotics, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., stated:

"Robotics is one of the most exciting frontiers of physical AI, and software is the connective tissue that turns great hardware into great robots. 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."

Dave Coleman, Founder and Chief Product Officer, PickNik Inc., stated:

"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. 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."

Dave Grant, Chief Executive Officer, PickNik Inc., stated:

"MoveIt is entering an exciting new chapter with the resources and support to help expand its impact. We look forward to joining Qualcomm Technologies and building on MoveIt's momentum."

Qualcomm Technologies and PickNik are both founding members of the Open Source Robotics Alliance (OSRA), and Qualcomm Technologies intends to continue driving major projects including Space ROS, a hardened version of ROS optimized for critical applications such as space exploration. The companies displayed MoveIt Pro running on VENTUNO Q and Dragonwing robotics platforms last month at ROSCon Toronto.