Communications and AI have become the new cornerstones of automotive technology.

On March 2 (local time), MWC2026 opened in Barcelona, Spain. As the world's largest and most influential mobile communications industry exhibition, it has always been a bellwether for global technology and communications industries.

Historically, MWC has been dominated by communications, smartphones, and consumer electronics. However, amid the wave of automotive intelligence, vehicles are no longer isolated modes of transportation but have become mobile intelligent terminals highly reliant on communication capabilities. Vehicle-device connectivity, smart cockpits, vehicle networks, advanced intelligent driving—every aspect relies on the underlying support of communication technology.

At MWC2026, the Leitech reporting team observed that Xiaomi Automobile made its debut with the Vision Gran Turismo concept car, quickly drawing large crowds of onlookers and photographers.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

Of course, MWC2026 has much more to offer than just Xiaomi. Technology firms like MediaTek and LG also showcased their strengths, presenting innovations in in-car communications, smart cockpits, AI connectivity, and in-car displays, demonstrating remarkable technological advancements in these fields.

Satellite Communications in Vehicles: Keeping Vehicles "Always Online"!

As a leading global chip manufacturer, MediaTek unveiled several major in-car achievements at MWC2026, including a new in-car communication chipset and the Dimensity Automotive Cockpit Platform based on a 3nm process. The most surprising reveal, however, was the world's first demonstration of an in-car 5G NR NTN satellite video call solution.

For a long time, in-car communications have primarily relied on terrestrial cellular networks. Once vehicles enter remote mountainous areas, deserts, or other signal-free zones, they become completely disconnected, rendering navigation and entertainment functions useless and even compromising emergency rescue capabilities. Currently, only a few high-end models like the Yangwang U8, Zunjie S800, and Wenjie M9 are equipped with satellite communication functions.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

MediaTek's NR NTN technology can break through the coverage limitations of traditional terrestrial networks, providing high-speed satellite communication capabilities such as video streaming, app usage, and internet access.

However, when we inquired with on-site staff about the advantages of this technology, they did not provide a clear answer regarding the cost, possibly due to commercial confidentiality or other factors.

Satellite communication functions are already being applied in the automotive sector. Once the cost of this technology decreases, it is likely that satellite communication will no longer be exclusive to high-end models and could even become one of the basic capabilities of smart vehicles.

More critically, stable and uninterrupted satellite communication can provide more reliable underlying support for functions with high network continuity requirements, such as autonomous driving, remote vehicle control, and high-definition map updates.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

However, for satellite communication to truly be integrated into vehicles, chips and solutions alone are not enough. They must pass stringent automotive-grade testing.

Testing and measurement company Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) has introduced targeted NTN in-car network and Hybrid eCall testing solutions. On one hand, these solutions comprehensively verify the performance of 5G+satellite communications, including signal strength, latency, and anti-interference capabilities, to ensure no dropouts. On the other hand, they integrate terrestrial and satellite networks to enable automatic emergency rescue in signal-free zones, which can be life-saving in critical moments.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

From Dianchetong's perspective, most users do not need satellite internet for daily commuting or urban transportation, and many even consider it just a "gimmick feature" for high-end vehicles. However, it is precisely these functions that are rarely used but can be life-saving in critical moments that require the utmost rigor.

In-car networking and emergency calls are directly related to driving safety and must undergo stringent automotive-grade testing before they can be trusted for use.

L4 Autonomous Driving and 5G Vehicle Networks Are Here

Communications are the soul of MWC, and intelligence is its core driving force, especially in the automotive sector, where the depth and breadth of intelligence are shaping the industry's future.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

Huawei continues to deep cultivation (double down on) smart networking, intelligent driving, and cloud computing, unveiling its Agentic Core solution at MWC2026. This solution provides next-generation intelligent network support for scenarios such as autonomous driving and vehicle-road coordination, making the entire connectivity system more efficient and intelligent.

In simple terms, this technology makes the network connecting various hardware components smarter and more capable.

According to official statements, leveraging three core capabilities—network element intelligence, network intelligence, and business intelligence—Agentic Core can address the challenges of device proliferation, surging traffic, and differentiated business needs in the AI era. It also helps operators explore new opportunities and enables the large-scale deployment of intelligent devices.

Unfortunately, Huawei's related exhibits were located in a non-public area requiring a pass for entry, preventing on-site experience of the latest technology.

If Huawei is paving the way for smart vehicles from the underlying network perspective, then KDDI is focusing more on real-world scenario implementation.

As Japan's second-largest telecom operator, KDDI showcased an actual L4 autonomous driving vehicle, allowing attendees to experience safety features such as intelligent camera recognition of sudden illnesses. They also demonstrated a remote monitoring system to ensure the safety of autonomous vehicle research and testing. Officials stated that the optimized intelligent model could significantly enhance the driving experience, safety, and personalized services.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

WINDRIVER, a company under Aptiv, also exhibited a Ford Mustang Mach-E at MWC2026 to demonstrate the capabilities of next-generation 5G-connected vehicles. Interestingly, to ensure the vehicle's communication and sensing capabilities, the official placed a camera-like module at the logo position.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

LG is also a major player in the smart cockpit and in-car communication sectors.

With years of experience in automotive electronics, LG has deep expertise in cockpit interaction, vehicle networking, and hardware-software integration. At this year's MWC, LG unveiled a new-generation smart in-car information service solution, highly integrating multi-mode antennas supporting 5G, GPS, V2X, and satellite communications with TCU units. This significantly improves system efficiency and provides automakers with a simpler and more reliable in-car communication solution.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

While tech companies are not building cars themselves, the automotive industry is no longer won solely by engines and chassis. Communications, networking, AI, and in-car electronics are becoming the true core factors determining a vehicle's usability, safety, and intelligence.

In-Car Hardware Is Not Absent: Visual and Auditory Upgrades

While communications and AI are pushing smart cockpits into the spotlight, in-car displays—one of the most critical hardware components in the cockpit—have become a battleground for tech companies.

Dianchetong noticed on-site that TCL CSOT brought its Super Pixel and printed OLED core technologies to MWC2026, with printed OLED explicitly targeting mid-size in-car displays as a key industrialization direction.

This technology uses inkjet printing processes, offering advantages such as lower costs, eco-friendliness, and high material utilization, making it suitable for large-scale production of in-car screens. Additionally, the Real Stripe RGB pixel arrangement provides more stable colors and purer images, performing reliably even under harsh automotive-grade conditions like strong light and prolonged operation, perfectly meeting the demands of smart cockpits.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

Of course, upgrading the smart cockpit experience goes beyond just the visual aspect. Exceptional in-car audio can make the cockpit more welcoming and immersive, serving as a key differentiator.

At the Harman Automotive booth, a BMW X5 exhibit caught Dianchetong's attention, showcasing the Harman Embedded Audio (HEA) integrated hardware-software audio solution and intuitive (intuitively) demonstrating its powerful (formidable) capabilities in creating premium cockpit auditory experiences.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

The Future Is About More Than Just Cars—It's About Ecosystems

While MWC is still seen by many as a communications industry event, smart vehicles have quietly become the main battleground.

Reviewing the various cutting-edge technologies mentioned earlier, it is clear that in core areas such as smart cockpits, in-car chips, AI connectivity, and omni-connectivity, tech companies have transitioned from supporting roles to leading ones, defining standards, outputting technologies, and shaping experiences.

Higher-performance, lower-power in-car chips, smoother on-device AI, and higher-definition, more reliable in-car screens are the weapons in the future competition for smart vehicles.

Image Source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong

Dianchetong also observed that the focus of the smart automotive industry is shifting.

Over the past five years, automakers have competed on electrification, range, and fast charging. Now, as the industry enters its second phase, the smart cockpits and advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that automakers promote are no longer sufficient to differentiate them from competitors. The true deciding factors are whether vehicles can continuously evolve, remain fully connected in all scenarios, and achieve interconnection with everything.

In short, future smart vehicles will no longer compete based on the number of screens but on display quality, computing power, and AI intelligence. This requires stronger collaboration between automakers and tech companies.

Additionally, CircuitX, which debuted before the event, is also worth noting. This innovative project focusing on mobile technology and motorsports, in collaboration with Ericsson, showcased scenarios such as remote driving, real-time telemetry, drone security, and AR/VR spectating, providing real-world proof of how connected technologies are reshaping transportation and motorsports.

Vehicles are no longer traditional mechanical products but intelligent terminals on wheels and AI devices on the move. This not only demands stronger collaboration from automakers but also requires the supply chain to transform promptly and enter key sectors early to maintain a foothold in the new wave of industrial transformation.

Throughout MWC2026, the clearest answer has emerged: the era of technology defining automobiles is upon us.

(Cover image source: On-site photography by Leitech/Dianchetong)

MWC2026, Xiaomi, Huawei, AI, automotive, smart vehicles, new energy

Source: Leitech

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