Karma Automotive teamed with BlackBerry to improve the security and performance of its infotainment system.
As vehicles become ever more complex and ever more dependent on computer systems, cyber security has become an increasingly important part of vehicle engineering and will be one of the themes for automotive companies and their suppliers at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
BlackBerry and Karma Automotive will showcase how BlackBerry’s QNX technology is used to safeguard Karma’s Revero luxury electric vehicle. The joint CES display also points towards additional security and management systems that could be incorporated into future products.
“Karma’s business and product plan is driven in part by collaborating with partners like BlackBerry whose expertise help us accelerate product development and differentiation,” said Karma CEO Lance Zhou.
“Karma was among BlackBerry’s first automotive partners for cybersecurity management, and we’re looking forward to showcasing how we use the technology to enhance Revero. We’ll also have some proof-of-concepts using futuristic technology that may ultimately become part of the Karma experience,” he added.
(Cadillac, Kia and Karma take Green Car honors. Click Here for the story.)
BlackBerry's QNX technology is also helping to improve the security of the Karma Revero.
Security was cited as the top barrier to success by 35% of respondents, with privacy concerns at 25%, and potential risks and liabilities at 25% also among the top five, according to Gartner in its most recent “Internet of Things Backbone Survey.”
In the Karma Revero, the BlackBerry QNX powers the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster.
(Click Here for more about Delphi and BlackBerry partnering on self-driving cars.)
With system, Karma is at the forefront of firmware over-the-air updates and how it manages cybersecurity by leveraging encryption via BlackBerry’s Certicom. Karma also uses QNX Acoustics and other BlackBerry technologies for active noise reduction and echo cancellation and other product enhancements.
Based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry Ltd was one of the pioneers in developing multi-faceted mobile phones. Throughout the years it has shifted its focus to providing the technology that allows various devices, including automobiles, to trust one another, communicate securely and maintain privacy, according to the company.
(Ford inks deal with BlackBerry to use QNX software. For the story, Click Here.)
CES is expected to draw more than 180,000 visitors this year and is considered the world’s gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. Among show highlights for automotive enthusiasts are concept cars, connected cars, autonomous drive, artificial intelligence and robotics.