BlackBerry joins hands with Ford; will work on software

BlackBerry Ltd. and Ford Motor Co. have joined hands to work on new software that will help the American carmaker to move towards its aim to produce automated vehicles in the near future. Under this deal, BlackBerry will directly be working with Ford in order to enhance the latter's use of QNX secure operating system. This is the first time that BlackBerry has gone into an agreement with a major automaker.

Currently, Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system uses a QNX software supplied from the Panasonic Automotive Company. But with the automaker now focusing on automated vehicles, BlackBerry has been roped in to develop softwares that can deal with autonomous drive systems as well as infotainment. Initially, BlackBerry will be working on the softwares being used in telematics, infotainment, and instrument cluster of Ford cars.

The companies haven't revealed any financial details about the said deal. Information about how Ford plans to use the new softwares in its cars in the future has also been kept under wraps.

Source: Reuters