A virtual cockpit platform described as the first-of-its-kind by BlackBerry Limited was recently introduced as part of the Stellantis Virtual Engineering Workbench (VEW) by the OEM.
It is of interest because the new platform allows for the delivery of infotainment tech to customers 100 times faster than previous processes. How BlackBerry is involved is also interesting: the new platform from Stellantis uses QNX Hypervisor in the cloud from BlackBerry, and so the global automaker can now create realistic virtual versions of vehicle controls and systems — making them behave they same way they would in a real vehicle without changing the main software that runs them.
“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, in a statement. “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.”
The new platform also means the OEM can speedup customer feedback sessions and replicate the cockpit experience of a specific brand or vehicle with little effort. Stellantis can also make changes in real time to improve the overall experience.
“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,” said Wendy Bauer, Vice President and General Manager of Automotive and Manufacturing at AWS.
