Stellantis, BlackBerry and AWS launch virtual cockpit

Stellantis has led the development of the world’s first virtual cockpit platform as part of its Stellantis Virtual Engineering Workbench (VEW). This platform significantly accelerates the delivery of infotainment technology to customers, achieving a speed 100 times faster than previous processes. Utilising the QNX Hypervisor in the Cloud from BlackBerry, now available for early access via AWS Marketplace within the QNX Accelerate portfolio, Stellantis can create realistic virtual versions of car controls and systems. These virtual versions replicate the behaviour of actual car controls without the need to alter the main software, reducing development times from months to as little as 24 hours in some instances.

Access to QNX Hypervisor via AWS Marketplace allows Stellantis to incorporate a virtual cockpit high-performance computing (HPC) simulation into a Cloud environment. This pioneering platform for mixed-criticality and multi-OS embedded application development includes QNX Hypervisor Amazon Machine Images and industry-standard hardware interfaces as defined in the VirtIO standard Trout v1.2. The solution offers an experience virtually indistinguishable from running QNX Hypervisor-based systems on real hardware, thanks to tools for virtualising graphics, audio, and input devices.

Software plays a crucial role in Stellantis’s commitment to delivering clean, safe, and affordable mobility, as outlined in their Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan. The software is also a driving force behind their AI-powered STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive technology platforms. In 2022, Stellantis chose AWS as its preferred Cloud provider for vehicle platforms, and work began on the VEW, designed in-house.

With the software-driven approach and deployment of QNX Hypervisor in the Cloud, Stellantis can expedite customer feedback sessions. The company can replicate and modify the cockpit experience of specific brands and vehicles in real time, optimising the driver experience. This approach, supported by low-latency Cloud access, enables Stellantis to gather valuable feedback from customers and developers for future infotainment features and applications.

Yves Bonnefont, Chief Software Officer at Stellantis, stated, “Software’s growing importance in vehicles has prompted us to innovate in its development and validation. Our virtual cockpit is revolutionising our approach and that of our industry partners. This technology allows us to respond more swiftly to customer needs, with quicker development cycles, faster feedback, and expedited technology delivery.”

Mattias Eriksson, President of BlackBerry IoT, said, “We’re thrilled to offer early access to our trusted QNX Hypervisor platform in the Cloud. Our work with Stellantis in launching the first commercial hypervisor in the AWS Cloud is set to simplify in-car software development, spurring innovation and reducing costs across the product lifecycle.”

Wendy Bauer, Vice President and General Manager of Automotive and Manufacturing at AWS, added, “Software virtualisation in the Cloud is key to speeding up development and keeping pace with consumer demand. With BlackBerry’s QNX Hypervisor on AWS Marketplace, Stellantis can leverage Cloud power to transform R&D, foster insightful feedback integration, and deliver functions faster than before.”

Standard VirtIO interfaces are also utilised by automotive partners, enabling scalability across OEMs and plug-and-play functionality. AWS fully supports the VirtIO standard for Cloud simulation of cockpit HPCs.

BlackBerry QNX launched QNX Accelerate in January 2023, initially featuring QNX Neutrino RTOS 7.1 and QNX OS for Safety 2.2.3 as Amazon Machine Images. The early access release of QNX Hypervisor in the Cloud is now available, with general availability to be announced later in 2024.

The technology will be demonstrated at CES from 9-12 January 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visitors can see it at BlackBerry’s Booth #4224 in the West Hall.

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