BlackBerry has entered into a partnership with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to create advanced electronics for the British carmaker’s upcoming vehicles. The two companies have established a “multi-year agreement,” though specific details on when this collaboration will yield results in JLR’s production cars remain undisclosed.
As part of the agreement, BlackBerry will provide its QNX and Certicom technologies to JLR, along with a dedicated team of engineers to assist the automaker in developing new electronic control units. While these units may serve various vehicle functions, the initial focus will be on a state-of-the-art infotainment system.
In recent years, JLR has actively worked to improve its infotainment offerings, highlighted by the sophisticated InControl Touch Pro Duo system featured in the Land Rover Range Rover Velar and the Jaguar I-Pace. However, since electronic components evolve much faster than vehicles, it is essential for manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve.
Similar to other technology firms, BlackBerry regards the growing demand for infotainment and interconnected, sophisticated automotive technologies as a significant opportunity. At the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, BlackBerry introduced Jarvis, a cybersecurity tool designed for car manufacturers. JLR was among the early testers; however, neither company has confirmed if Jarvis will be integrated into future production technologies as part of their agreement.
The collaboration between JLR and BlackBerry exemplifies the increasing importance of electronics companies within the automotive supply chain, comparable to traditional manufacturers of transmissions or fuel injection systems. As the industry progresses towards connected and automated vehicles, the role of firms like BlackBerry is expected to expand significantly..
