BlackBerry has signed an expanded deal with Ford to install infotainment and security systems in future cars.
The deal includes BlackBerry’s QNX operating system, which Ford has been using through a partnership with Panasonic for a few years, and Certicom security technology. Ford will also use QNX hypervisor and audio processing software.
See Also: Apple picks Blackberry talent for driverless car OS
“The future of the automobile is all about embedded intelligence. I believe our expertise in secure embedded software makes us the preferred technology provider to put the smart in the car,” said John Chen, executive chairman and CEO at BlackBerry.
“Ford is an industry leader and the opportunity to contribute our world-class technology to their products is a privilege. Ford’s expanded application of our software and services illustrates the diverse and broad value we can bring to market.”
The firm’s QNX operating system is one of the major platforms for automotive manufacturers, who want to add infotainment and GPS services to cars. Some investors see this as a major source of revenue in the future, as BlackBerry starts to move from hardware to software and services.
BlackBerry QNX deal may go to 2021?
Ford may use QNX in self-driving cars, if the deal extends to 2021. That would give BlackBerry a foot into the self-driving industry, as a provider of infotainment and security services for automotive manufacturers.
“With the success of our SYNC 3 system globally, which is based on the QNX operating system, we understand the importance of the connected car experience to our customers,” said Raj Nair, executive VP of product development and CTO at Ford.
“Growing our expertise, experience and use of the BlackBerry QNX embedded software platforms will help ensure we deliver the high-quality, highly secure experience that our customers expect.”
