Blackberry, known for its iconic smartphones, is making a comeback of sorts in the automotive industry. Although the company no longer manufactures smartphones, its software division is teaming up with Stellantis and Amazon Web Services to drive the development of future automotive technology features, creating a buzz at CES 2024.
The collaboration involves Blackberry’s software running on the AWS cloud to simulate a vehicle’s cockpit, enabling Stellantis to completely recreate vehicle systems and controls. This technology, powered by the cloud, has the potential to dramatically increase the pace of development. Tasks that previously took months to complete can now be finished in as little as 24 hours in some cases, allowing for faster feedback loops and quicker delivery of technology tailored to customer needs.
Stellantis has been collaborating with Amazon on similar initiatives since early 2022, and the announcement of this new partnership is timely as the automaker is close to finalizing an all-new software framework tailored for its electric vehicle platforms. Known as “STLA Brain,” this cloud-integrated architecture separates hardware and software, enabling rapid software updates without the need for new hardware. The “STLA SmartCockpit” relies on the “Brain” to offer connected and AI-assisted services such as navigation, voice assistance, and shopping.
While the SmartCockpit system is set to be deployed in millions of Stellantis vehicles this year, the timeline for the Blackberry-powered simulator’s implementation has not been disclosed. Blackberry is also marketing a white-label version of this technology, called QNX Hypervisor, which could potentially be adopted by other automakers in their tech programs.
With this collaboration, Stellantis, Blackberry, and Amazon are poised to drive significant advancements in automotive technology, ultimately enhancing the overall driving experience for customers.
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