BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB)’s QNX Software Systems entered into an agreement with Rightware, a manufacturer of automotive user interface design tools, to enhance the infotainment system to appear in vehicle digital instrument clusters. The technology will enable car drivers to view music lists and album art, navigation direction and local news between instruments such as the speedometer and tachometer.
To show real-time information
The collaboration was announced on Wednesday at the Telematic Detroit Show combining the QNX Neutrino operating system and the Rightware Kanzi user interface. The technology was shown as an instrument cluster in a Mercedes-Benz concept car. Mirror Link, which is an industry standard for connecting smartphones with the infotainment system, is also compatible with this instrument cluster. The system can integrate Android-based smartphone to the infotainment center on the console and the instrument cluster display.
The instrument cluster will show the real-time information once it is connected with the Mirror Link; such as local speeds limits, turn by turn directions, traffic reports and incoming phone calls. Also, to help the driver get better information, the fully digital cluster can change views and mark important information.
Peter McCarthy, director of global alliances for QNX said “QNX Software Systems and Rightware have already worked together on successful production programs, including the exciting new Audi virtual cockpit.”
The Kanzi software allows developers to create a user interface with photorealistic, real-time 2D and 3D graphics. With the help of QNX OS, Kanzi UI can access vehicle data and services like navigation, multimedia, speed, RPM, and car diagnostics.
Huge potential for BlackBerry QNX
In separate news, BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB)’s QNX division announced QNX OS for Automotive Safety 1.0, a telematics platform made to display vehicle safety information.
A BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) spokeswoman said that automakers like Audi, Land Rover, and Jaguar already use the existing QNX OS for digital instrument clusters, and “this is our first OS that is set to be certified to the (fairly new) ISO 26262 safety standard.” She added that the new operating system will cater to the surging demand for digital cluster, heads-up displays, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and other in-car applications with functional safety requirements.
QNX is a potential blockbuster for both BlackBerry and the automotive industry. Previously, BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) CEO John Chen said that the division “is probably one of the crown jewels” of his company.
