BlackBerry has signed an agreement with Ford Motor to expand the use of its QNX and security software in the automaker's vehicles.
The deal will see a team of BlackBerry employees work directly with Ford and help it in using its QNX Neutrino Operating System, Certicom security technology, QNX hypervisor and QNX audio processing software.
According to BlackBerry, its expertise in security and QNX’s mission-critical operating systems and software for autonomous applications can allow it in providing a secure, trusted and reliable platform which can power every aspect of a connected car.
Currently, more than 60 million vehicles have BlackBerry’s QNX software installed in them including SYNC 3 Infotainment system in some Ford models.
BlackBerry executive chairman and CEO John Chen said: "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.
"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."
Financial terms related to deal have not been discussed by both the parties.
BlackBerry noted that the QNX software contains more than 100 millions of code. This is more than the software found in space shuttle, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Microsoft Office combined.
Ford Motor product development executive vice president and chief technical officer Raj Nair said: “With the success of our SYNC 3 system globally, which is based on the BlackBerry QNX operating system, we understand the importance of the connected car experience to our customers.
“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.”
