Skip to main content

BlackBerry pushes boat out for Canoo

QNX technology licensed for semi-autonomous EVs due next year
By David Arminas August 19, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
BlackBerry’s QNX operating system will be used in Canoo EVs (© Evgenyp | Dreamstime.com)

Electric vehicle (EV) start-up Canoo will use BlackBerry’s QNX operating system, including radar sensors, parking sensors and cameras, for its semi-autonomous EVs due next year.

BlackBerry will licence to Canoo its QNX technology, which is used in more than 175 million vehicles on the road.

The deal includes Blackberry’s QNX OS for Safety 2.0 to serve as the foundation for the autonomous vehicle (AV) features within Canoo’s EVs.

QNX OS for Safety is an operating system that embedded developers can use to build safety-critical systems.

Based on BlackBerry’s secure QNX Neutrino real-time operating system (RTOS), QNX OS for Safety has been certified to ISO 26262 ASIL D and IEC 61508 SIL3.

Canoo aims to bring its first production vehicles to market with advanced level 2 or level 2+ autonomy as standard by the end of 2021.

Level 2 features are deemed partial autonomy, enabling the vehicle to manage acceleration and steering and monitor components of its environment in certain conditions.

“Canoo is pushing the boundaries of AV development, challenging the traditional way of building, offering and using vehicles,” said John Wall, senior vice president of BlackBerry Technology Solutions.

“The global AV market is expected to reach nearly $600 billion by 2026," said Phil Weicker, head of propulsion and electronics at Canoo.

"As these systems become more affordable and available to implement in the mass market, our membership model makes it easy to keep our vehicles up-to-date with the latest in ADAS technology."

Canoo, based in Los Angeles, California, is offering EV for subscription and said that its first one will launch at the end of 2021.

Related Content

  • November 21, 2019
    Hyundai launches mobility venture in LA
    Hyundai Motor has established a venture called MoceanLab to provide mobility services in Los Angeles while also aiming to reduce congestion ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
  • January 30, 2012
    Road safety systems on show at ITS World Congress
    A vast array of new products and systems for aiding road safety were displayed at the ITS World Congress in October. David Crawford assesses a selection of safety initiatives exhibited in Orlando. Vital roles for ITS applications in road traffic safety emerge clearly from a new report from the US Transportation Safety Advancement Group. The report has been carried out for the Next Generation 911 What's Next Forum, which is preparing the way for future development of the US national 911 emergency single call
  • November 13, 2024
    ITS Australia Awards 2025 finalists announced

    ITS Australia has announced 32 finalists for the 15th Annual ITS Australia Awards, with winners announced at a ceremony on 13 February 2025 in Perth, Western Australia.

  • November 30, 2012
    Intel investing in vehicles’ connected future
    Prospects for a vision of vehicles fully connected to traffic information, safety and entertainment services are being boosted by a $100 million investment from Intel. Pete Goldin reports. Hear the name Intel and what comes to mind is processing power. What may not be realised is that Intel is positioned to become a major player in the automotive technologies market, including connected vehicle technology. To strengthen this position, the company’s investment arm, Intel Capital, has established a $100 milli