BlackBerry focuses on smart-cars with IoT platform

BlackBerry has launched an IoT platform targeted at the automotive and asset tracking sectors. The mobile device maker said its efficient and scalable messaging system forms the solution’s foundation, and claimed it brings high performance to highly mobile industries.

The vendor said the platform serves as a message bus for additional modules including security, data indexing and storage, integrated analytics for data visualisation, and permissions required for every action. Functionalities enable users to collect data, including time of service and maintenance records, as well as offering device lifecycle management.

“The BlackBerry IoT Platform blends the technologies that have enabled BlackBerry to become a leader in both the mobile data security and embedded systems industries,” Matt Hoffman, VP of Strategy and Marketing at BlackBerry Technology Solutions said.

BlackBerry acquired QNX Software Systems in 2010, and though they gained a valuable asset in doing so, it took the firm too long to turn it into a productive unit. The vendor has played a game of catch-up ever since.

“By combining the BlackBerry global network and device lifecycle management proficiency with the embedded software experience of QNX, we have built a modular, cloud-based platform that gives customers the chance to build IoT applications in a secure, efficient and scalable way. Looking ahead, we will extend the platform with other BlackBerry technologies to give developers additional control over the flow of information to devices on the network’s edge.”

This development seems like an attempt by the troubled device maker to turn its fortunes around by investing in the strengths of QNX software and what BlackBerry has historically been good at: security and embedded systems. Once strong mobile device player BlackBerry has been struggling for several years, and it looks like it is now trying to gain head in the smart-car market, for which QNX seems a good match to.