BlackBerry Launches New Software for Driverless Cars
January 06 2016 - 8:30PM
Dow Jones News
BlackBerry Ltd. unveiled new software to help improve the safety
and operation of driverless cars at the Consumer Electronics Show
in Las Vegas.
Canada-based BlackBerry joined a host of other companies using
the trade show to signal a deepening commitment to autonomous
cars.
The move also reflected BlackBerry's bet that demand for mobile
security and services will grow as the use of wireless networks
expands beyond smartphones and laptopsto include connecting a range
of consumer and industrial products.
BlackBerry, which has been staking its future on higher-margin
mobile-management software after big stumbles in its hardware
business, aims to generate revenue of $500 million from software
and related services in its current fiscal year, which ends Feb.
29. The company said it plans to launch its autonomous-driving
technology in the second quarter of calendar 2016. However, sales
related to these new offerings are unlikely to make an impact on
the company's top line in the near future, given that the sector is
in its infancy.
Some auto industry executives predict driverless cars will be on
the road within five years.
In support of that view, California last month unveiled
preliminary regulations for operating driverless cars in the state,
a necessary step before the vehicles could be sold to
consumers.
Autonomous cars rely on a complex system of software and sensors
to avoid hitting other vehicles, to read traffic signals, and to
assess road conditions.
On Wednesday, BlackBerry introduced so-called vehicle-to-vehicle
communications technology, which will allow cars to communicate
with each other to prevent collisions and improve traffic flow,
according to a company news release. It also unveiled software that
will combine data from cameras, radar and other sources to enable
autonomous cars to make braking, steering and other control
decisions.
The new technology is powered by BlackBerry's QNX operating
system, which up until now has been best known for running in-car
infotainment systems. BlackBerry says more than 40 auto makers use
QNX software, and it is betting that installed customer base will
help it win new business for its self-driving car offerings.
"QNX has the unique advantage of being a leader in automotive
[operating system] software," John Wall, head of QNX software
systems, said in the release.
Write to Ben Dummett at ben.dummett@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 06, 2016 20:15 ET (01:15 GMT)
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