Investing.com -- Shares of BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: NYSE:BB) (TSX: BB) climbed 9% following the announcement of a partnership between its QNX division and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) to expedite the development of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs).
The collaboration is set to integrate the QNX Software (ETR:SOWGn) Development Platform (SDP) 8.0 with Microsoft Azure, a move that will offer developers a robust cloud environment to innovate and refine automotive and Internet of Things applications. The initiative aims to streamline the creation, testing, and integration of software essential for the next wave of automotive technology.
BlackBerry's Chief Operating Officer, John Wall, emphasized the significance of a cloud-first approach to remain competitive in the development infrastructure. The joint effort with Microsoft is expected to incorporate Microsoft Azure AI to support advanced technology early in the development cycle. This strategy is designed to speed up development timelines, reduce risks, and enable automakers to harness the cloud's scale and velocity for development.
Microsoft's Corporate Vice President, Dayan Rodriguez, reiterated the collaboration's role in empowering the automotive industry with advanced technology to foster innovation. The synergy of Microsoft Azure's capabilities with QNX's expertise is anticipated to help Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) fulfill the potential of Software-Defined Vehicles.
The partnership announcement also included future plans to expand the solution to encompass the QNX Hypervisor and the new QNX Cabin. This innovative reference architecture will permit OEMs to develop digital cockpits that are hardware agnostic using cloud technology.
At the upcoming CES 2025, QNX will showcase how developers can leverage the QNX Software Development Platform (SDP) 8.0 on Azure for early software testing and validation, which is crucial for identifying and addressing issues promptly during the development phase. This demonstration is expected to highlight the practical benefits of the collaboration for automakers and developers alike.
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