AI at the Edge with Liebherr, Reycom and Qualcomm
In a landmark collaboration poised to reshape industrial automation, three technology giants have joined forces. Liebherr, Reycom and Qualcomm Technologies are setting a bold new direction with their co-developed edge AI solution: LiRISE®. This next-generation platform brings scalable AI capabilities to the edge of operations, especially in mobile machines and industrial appliances operating in punishing environments.
The edge AI gateway market is booming, and for good reason. As operations get smarter, more data-intensive, and autonomy-driven, traditional cloud solutions just can’t keep up. That’s where LiRISE® steps in. It’s not just about speed or computing power. It’s about delivering real-time decision-making capabilities, tighter security, and seamless user experiences on the frontlines of industry.
Claus von Reibnitz, Head of Control Systems & Connectivity at Liebherr, put it plainly: “By delivering security-rich, high-performance, and future-ready solutions, we help our customers navigate an increasingly complex world. Through collaborations with leading technology companies, we unite deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge innovation.”
The Brains Behind LiRISE®
At the heart of the LiRISE® solution is Qualcomm’s new Dragonwing™ platform. With the inclusion of the QCS6490 and IQ9 Series industrial-grade processors, the partnership is harnessing blazing-fast processing, low-latency AI inference, and industrial-strength reliability.
Eric Mazzoleni, Vice President of Industrial and Embedded IoT Sales – Europe at Qualcomm Germany GmbH, highlighted the significance: “By integrating our Qualcomm Dragonwing™ QCS6490 and industrial-grade IQ9 Series processors into Liebherr’s next-generation edge AI gateways, we are enabling high-performance computing and accelerated AI features that will support a variety of new AI-rich applications.”
That includes everything from predictive maintenance to real-time object recognition and autonomous decision-making. Qualcomm’s decades-long legacy of powering global mobile ecosystems now finds itself fuelling intelligent machines on the ground, in the field, and at the edge of networks.
The RISE of Secure, Scalable Infrastructure
Reycom, a Swiss OEM and system house, brings to the table its Reycom Industrial Secure Edge (RISE) platform. Known for its turnkey integration of hardware and software, Reycom has a sharp eye for enabling rapid deployment of IoT solutions across consumer electronics and industrial sectors alike.
Pascal Rey, CEO and founder of Reycom, emphasised the importance of end-to-end design: “The demands on gateways for autonomous applications are constantly increasing, and only a close integration of hardware and software can meet the combination of functionality, performance, and security. Additionally, the stringent requirement to enhance resilience against cyber-attacks further increases the complexity of the overall system architecture. LiRISE® provides the platform that enables customers to focus on their applications.”
This tight integration not only streamlines performance but also hardens devices against evolving cyber threats—a must-have for modern operations.
What LiRISE® Brings to the Table
So, what exactly makes LiRISE® more than just another gateway? It’s a complete ecosystem approach. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Edge AI at Scale: Real-time inference and processing without reliance on the cloud.
- Cybersecurity Built-In: Enhanced protection to guard against attacks at the device and network levels.
- Customisable Architecture: Tailored software stacks to fit diverse industrial applications.
- User-Focused Interfaces: A personalised, intuitive UI that simplifies complex workflows.
By combining rugged hardware with elegant software integration, LiRISE® isn’t just functional – it’s transformational.
Liebherr’s Vision for Software-Defined Machines
Liebherr has long been synonymous with engineering excellence. From construction equipment to aerospace components, the company boasts a portfolio that spans over 150 firms across every continent. Now, it’s turning that engineering prowess towards a new frontier: software-defined machinery.
By investing in modular, connected, and intelligent systems, Liebherr aims to support its global customer base in becoming more adaptive, efficient, and sustainable. And with LiRISE®, it has the ideal platform to make that happen.
The company continues to evolve while holding firm to its founding ethos. Hans Liebherr started the firm in 1949 in Kirchdorf an der Iller with innovation at its heart, and more than 50,000 employees worldwide are still delivering on that promise today.
A Model for Cross-Industry Collaboration
What sets this partnership apart is the sheer breadth of expertise. Qualcomm brings advanced computing and connectivity; Reycom delivers streamlined integration and user experience; Liebherr provides the industrial application know-how. Together, they offer a complete package that few others can rival.
This approach reflects a broader trend across construction and industrial sectors: moving away from siloed innovation towards holistic, interoperable ecosystems. AI at the edge, digital twins, and software-defined systems are no longer niche innovations—they’re fast becoming the new normal.
The collaboration exemplifies how aligning hardware, software, and industry insight can unlock massive value for operators, engineers, and investors alike.
Moving the Needle in Industrial AI
The growing demand for smart infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, and machine-led decision-making continues to fuel innovation. With AI solutions like LiRISE®, businesses stand to gain better visibility, reduce downtime, and drive up safety and performance metrics.
Qualcomm puts it best in their broader mission statement: “Together with our ecosystem partners, we enable next-generation digital transformation to enrich lives, improve businesses, and advance societies. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress.”
Indeed, that progress is being powered not in far-off data centres, but right on the edge—where machines meet reality, and decisions matter most.
Bright Horizons for Edge AI
LiRISE® is more than a product launch. It’s a signpost for where industrial technology is heading: towards smarter, more connected, and more secure operations.
For policymakers, construction professionals, and investors looking to stay ahead of the curve, edge AI isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a strategic imperative.
