Stellantis, BlackBerry QNX and AWS Launch Virtual Cockpit, Transforming In-Vehicle Software Engineering
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Insights
The introduction of Stellantis's virtual cockpit, as part of the Stellantis Virtual Engineering Workbench (VEW), represents a significant innovation in automotive software development. The ability to accelerate development cycles up to 100 times is a testament to the efficiency gains from integrating virtualization technology into the R&D process. The use of the QNX Hypervisor in the cloud facilitates a more agile and responsive development environment, allowing Stellantis to simulate and test infotainment systems rapidly.
This development is poised to enhance Stellantis's competitive edge by reducing time-to-market for new features, which is critical in an industry where technology differentiation is increasingly driving consumer choice. Moreover, the focus on customer feedback loops can lead to more personalized and improved user experiences, potentially increasing brand loyalty and customer satisfaction. However, the long-term success of this innovation will depend on the execution of these virtual testing environments and their ability to accurately predict real-world performance and consumer acceptance.
The collaboration between Stellantis, BlackBerry QNX and AWS underscores the growing trend of cloud computing in automotive software development. By leveraging AWS Marketplace for the deployment of the QNX Hypervisor, Stellantis benefits from scalable, low-latency access to cloud resources. This not only streamlines the development process but also reduces the capital expenditure associated with physical testing infrastructure.
Furthermore, the utilization of industry-standard VirtIO interfaces ensures compatibility and potential for cross-OEM scalability. This could lead to a more unified development ecosystem, simplifying the integration process for automotive software suppliers. However, reliance on cloud infrastructure also introduces concerns regarding data security and the need for continuous internet connectivity, which must be addressed to maintain the integrity of the development process.
Stellantis's move to create a virtual cockpit platform could have significant implications for the automotive market. By drastically reducing development times, Stellantis may be able to more rapidly iterate and introduce new features, which could shift consumer expectations and pressure competitors to accelerate their own R&D timelines. This could potentially lead to a market where the frequency of infotainment updates becomes a key competitive metric.
Investors and stakeholders should monitor the adoption rate of this technology and its impact on Stellantis's market share and profitability. While the initial investment in cloud-based development tools may be substantial, the potential cost savings over traditional development methods and the resulting agility in product iteration could justify the expenditure. It will be crucial to track the ROI of this technological investment and its influence on Stellantis's stock performance over the coming quarters.
- Stellantis introduces the first-of-its-kind virtual cockpit as a key component of the Stellantis Virtual Engineering Workbench (VEW)
- Industry-first innovation accelerates Stellantis development cycles up to 100 times, speeding up delivery of infotainment tech to customers
- BlackBerry QNX announces early access launch of QNX Hypervisor in the cloud on AWS Marketplace for mixed criticality and multi-OS embedded application development
Accessing QNX Hypervisor via AWS Marketplace enables Stellantis to include a virtual cockpit high-performance computing (HPC) simulation into a cloud environment. This industry-first platform for mixed-criticality and multi-OS embedded application development includes QNX Hypervisor Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) and industry-standard hardware interfaces as defined in the VirtIO standard Trout v1.2. With tools such as virtualization of graphics, audio, and touchscreen/mouse/keyboard inputs, the solution offers little to no difference between running QNX Hypervisor-based systems in the cloud versus on real hardware.
Software is a key building block for Stellantis to deliver clean, safe and affordable mobility, as outlined in the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, and the driving force behind the AI-powered STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit and STLA AutoDrive technology platforms. In 2022, Stellantis selected AWS as its preferred cloud provider for vehicle platforms and the companies began work on Stellantis' purpose-built, in-house VEW.
Taking a software-driven approach and deploying the QNX Hypervisor in the cloud, Stellantis can accelerate customer feedback sessions, and with minimal effort, replicate the cockpit experience of a particular brand and vehicle, and make changes in real time to optimize the experience for the driver. This real-time feedback, underpinned by low-latency access to the cloud, allows Stellantis to solicit valuable feedback from its customer and developer base to build future infotainment features and applications.
"Software is becoming increasingly crucial in vehicles, leading us to innovate in how we develop and validate it," said Yves Bonnefont, Chief Software Officer at Stellantis. "With our virtual cockpit, we're revolutionizing not just our approach, but also that of our suppliers and partners in the industry. Essentially, we're able to get closer to our customer's needs through this technology with faster development cycles, faster feedback loops, and quicker delivery of the technology they use and love. It's a leap towards customer-first innovation and efficiency in the automotive world."
"We're delighted to introduce early access availability of our trusted QNX Hypervisor platform in the cloud, leveraging the vendor and platform-neutral VirtIO standard that QNX has long-supported for its importance in creating a true-to-life virtual development environment for embedded software," said Mattias Eriksson, President, BlackBerry IoT. "Working with Stellantis to launch the world's first commercial hypervisor in the AWS cloud helps to reduce complexity, accelerate innovation and cut costs on in-car software development throughout the entire product lifecycle."
"Software virtualization and abstraction in the cloud is vital to accelerating development and maintaining feature delivery on-pace with consumer demand," said Wendy Bauer, Vice President and General Manager, Automotive and Manufacturing, AWS. "With BlackBerry's QNX Hypervisor on AWS Marketplace, Stellantis can easily harness the power of the cloud to reimagine research and development processes, architect more insightful ways to solicit and integrate feedback, and deliver functions faster than before that delight drivers and further the industry."
Standard VirtIO interfaces are also used by a suite of automotive partners to scale their offerings across OEMs and enable plug-and-play across the OEM landscape. Recognizing the benefits, AWS fully supports the VirtIO industry standard for cloud simulation of cockpit HPCs.
BlackBerry QNX launched QNX Accelerate in January 2023 with its portfolio initially featuring QNX® Neutrino® RTOS 7.1 and the QNX® OS for Safety 2.2.3, each provided as Amazon Machine Images allowing QNX customers to run a QNX OS natively on AWS cloud hardware. The early access release of QNX Hypervisor in the cloud is available now and general availability will be announced later in 2024.
A non-branded demonstration of the technology is available at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) from January 9 – 12, 2024, at the
About BlackBerry
BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 235M vehicles. Based in
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About Stellantis
Stellantis N.V. is one of the world's leading automakers aiming to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility to all. It's best known for its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram,
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