Innovating the next generation of wireless systems: Meet Prashanth Hande

As the technology lead for Qualcomm Technologies’ 5G XR (extended reality) project, Dr. Prashanth Hande is at the cutting edge of crafting the future of immersive communication. His work embodies the spirit of Qualcomm Technologies, where innovation is the most important product. Hande's successes in pushing technology forward have had a profound impact on global communication.

Hande is, in short, an engineering visionary. He told us that his parents inspired his early love for Math and Physics, and his fascination led to a seamless transition into a career in engineering, where abstract theories transform into groundbreaking applications.

Hande was an early trailblazer in OFDM wireless systems when CDMA was the norm. With this expertise, Hande played a crucial role in helping Qualcomm Technologies transition its technology base from CDMA to LTE (which is based on OFDM), navigating and overcoming industry skepticism to usher in a new era of mobile technology.

Today, as the technology lead for Qualcomm Technologies’ 5G XR project, Hande is crafting the future of immersive communication. Hande's story is one of trailblazing technological progress and of making a profound impact on global communication on the leading edge of the field.

The OnQ Team (OnQ): Why/How did you become an engineer?

Prashanth Hande (PH): Growing up in Bangalore, the focus was always on studies and academics. My father worked in a factory, and my mother was a homemaker, so they both instilled in me the value of hard work. I gravitated toward math and physics during my school years, as they offered a way to understand and explain the world around us. Engineering represented the perfect balance between exploring new ideas and applying that knowledge to create meaningful, everyday impacts.

OnQ: What’s it like being an inventor/innovator at Qualcomm Technologies? What inspires you?

PH: Being an engineer and inventor at Qualcomm Technologies is an incredible opportunity thanks to the fast-moving technology space we operate in. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to push boundaries. One of the most inspiring aspects of working here is collaborating with experts across various technical domains. It is truly inspiring, and I find myself stepping out of my wireless expertise to tackle new and complex systems like XR, which involves a blend of wireless, multimedia, rendering, encoding and perception technologies.

Qualcomm Technologies is known as a system-on-a-chip (SoC) company, but we don’t just build chips; we build entire systems. The multidisciplinary environment and the culture of openness foster continuous learning and drive innovation. Stepping into the multimedia domain has been challenging for me, but Qualcomm Technologies' strong emphasis on innovation and intellectual property provides both motivation and inspiration to push the limits of creativity. 

OnQ: If you could build anything or solve any scientific or engineering problem, what would it be?

PH: I would remove the friction to accessing education. Ensuring that everyone has easy and equitable access to quality education is fundamental to addressing many of the world’s challenges. Education is vital to building a more equitable world.

I worked with the nonprofit Asha for Education, when I lived in New Jersey. We introduced a marathon training program, recruited a trainer and raised $20,000, all of which went directly back to India to improve education. The program continued even after I left, which was a testament to its impact.

Now, as a parent of elementary and middle school kids, I stay involved in their education by helping with math and coding clubs. I also work with high school and middle school students to help them mentor elementary schoolers, reinforcing the importance of mentorship in the educational journey.

It ties back to my job at Qualcomm Technologies. XR can help remove disparities in access to education. It can level the playing field for learners globally. Online education is still browser-based and lacks the immersive, in-the-room feel that XR can provide. I look forward to a future where using XR will feel like sitting in a high-end class at a top-tier university.

There are still challenges, like the cost of XR headsets, improving user experience, and issues like VR fatigue. But the technology holds the promise of expanding the access to quality education to millions.

OnQ: What is your best advice for young innovators?

PH: My best advice for young innovators is to innovate incrementally. Start with small, manageable projects and build upon them. Align your efforts with key priorities and goals to ensure your innovations are relevant and impactful. Seek mentors who can guide and support you, and always prioritize learning. Embrace failure as a part of the process — fail fast, learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

OnQ: Do you have advice on collaborating?

PH: Oh yes. Be prepared to change your thinking as you gain new insights. Seek consensus, but be cautious of groupthink. It’s essential to value diverse perspectives and encourage open dialogue to foster innovative solutions.

OnQ: How can large businesses and governments encourage continuous innovation? 

PH: To encourage continuous innovation, governments and businesses must carefully navigate intellectual property (IP) issues, and ensure that IP and innovation does not become an arms race. The current competitive environment requires clear and consistent rules to incentivize progress for all players. Innovation thrives under well-defined guidelines, particularly in rapidly advancing fields like XR, AI and 6G.

Editor's Note: The above interview was transcribed and consolidated by AI, then written and edited manually by our editors for editorial clarity.