Qualcomm JV to focus on drones and robots

Thundercomm will have access to intellectual patents from US chip giant

Qualcomm Inc on Monday set up a joint venture with a Chinese tech firm to develop technologies used in drones, virtual reality goggles and other "smart devices" that the US chip giant believes will be the next big thing after the smartphone boom.

The new JV, named Thundercomm, will provide products and technologies for local firms which are building the next-generation drones, robots, VR devices and wearables, according to a statement from Qualcomm and its Chinese partner Thunder Software Technology Co Ltd, or Thundersoft.