QNX launches industry-first automotive software solution to accelerate digital cockpit development

BlackBerry, Inc. 's QNX division, has released the QNX® Cabin. As an innovative framework, QNX Cabin empowers Oems to virtualize the development of complex digital cabins in the cloud. The cloud-based development model enables architects and developers to "develop left," designing, testing, and optimizing every line of code in the cloud and then easily migrating it to production system-on-chip (SoC) hardware. This cloud-first approach means teams can collaborate seamlessly across locations, speeding up development processes, simplifying operations and significantly reducing time to market.

The digital cockpit is the cornerstone of the in-car experience in a software-defined vehicle (SDV), encompassing a variety of functions including infotainment systems, climate and comfort controls, automated driver assistance systems (ADAS), and digital meters. However, the integration of multiple complex software systems into a single hub, while meeting new consumer demands for increasing functionality and features throughout the vehicle life cycle, presents Oems with significant challenges. Existing solutions form silos in the development process and cannot achieve true collaboration or scale.

Take innovation as the core of car design

QNX Cabin solves development problems in mixed-critical environments, Functional safety-critical functions running on the functional safety-certified QNX® operating system (OS), such as automated driver assistance systems, are well integrated with user applications provided by guest operating systems, including Android Automotive and Linux. QNX Cabin utilizes virtualization technology and industry-standardized VirtIO interfaces to provide a development environment that reduces hardware dependence and provides greater scalability. In addition, QNX Cabin avoids repetitive development after operating system updates, while ensuring that the functional safety and network information security of the development environment are always maintained, whether on the SoC test bed or in the cloud. This allows Oems to manage their software more effectively and focus on continuous innovation rather than on software integration and specific hardware interfaces.

"Digital cabins are challenging to design, develop and maintain, especially for global engineering teams that rely on cloud development but still need to ensure functional safety, network information security and reliability," said John Wall, Chief Operating Officer and head of product, Engineering and services at QNX. "We are committed to reducing developer resistance, accelerating time to market, and driving the next generation of software-defined automotive experiences." QNX has built a high level of trust and expertise across a wide range of industries, including more than two decades of automotive software experience. Today, we combine this foundation with a cloud-first approach to embedded development to meet the evolving needs of our customers."

Simplify cloud design and testing

QNX Cabin is the industry's first cloud-enabled, SoC - and hardware-independent digital cabin reference platform that adopts VirtIO's open standards. One APAC based OEM has chosen the solution to scale its cloud development, improve time efficiency and cost effectiveness. The QNX Cabin platform architecture supports modular integration that helps automakers easily leverage software from an ecosystem of eco-partners and suppliers, and customize and extend functionality as needed. This flexibility also extends to support for a variety of input methods, including touch, voice, and gesture controls, further enhancing user interactivity and accessibility.