BlackBerry Opens Autonomous Vehicle Research Lab in Ottawa, Canada

[MacRumors]

Former smartphone company BlackBerry opened a new autonomous driving research center on Monday in Ottawa, Canada, according to Reuters.

BlackBerry is betting its future on the self-driving car business following its 2010 acquisition of QNX, a company which develops software for multiple in-car infotainment systems and whose software became the foundation of the BlackBerry 10 mobile operating system.

Image via Reuters​

The new R&D facility is an extension of Blackberry's existing QNX operations in the region and is said to be developing advanced driving features like automatic emergency breaking, intelligent cruise, and complete driving autonomy.

The company will use Lincoln vehicles from Ford retrofitted with autonomous hardware and software as a basis for carrying out tests, with a direct partnership with Ford also reportedly in the wings.

Blackberry is one of three organizations to receive clearance from the government of Ontario to test self-driving vehicles on public roads, having avoided the sort of ire brought upon Uber by Californian regulators regarding nascent self-driving laws.

California says Uber needs permits for its cars because they're equipped with technology that allows them to operate autonomously, but Uber has argued that employee drivers are always seated and in full control of its cars.

Google has also complained about the situation regarding state and federal laws for self-driving vehicles, but Uber has gone further by completely ignoring authorities' demands. California's state attorney has threatened to sue the company if it doesn't take its cars off the roads immediately.

Apple has met with California DMV officials in the past regarding self-driving car laws within the state, with its Apple Car team reportedly focusing on autonomous systems rather than an out-an-out vehicle design. Earlier this month, Apple confirmed its interest in autonomous cars in a letter to federal regulators requesting equal rights for "new entrants" to the auto industry.

Early this year, Apple was also said to have opened an R&D facility in QNX's hometown of Kanata, stirring speculation that the offices could be linked to the development of its own autonomous car systems.

Article Link: BlackBerry Opens Autonomous Vehicle Research Lab in Ottawa, Canada

 

[dannys1]

What sets it apart from Tesla is that instead of the centre dash being a giant touchscreen, it's a full sized qwerty keyboard.

 

[Saipher]

Never give up motivational speech anyone?

 

[needfx]

resurrections are off season
it ain't even easter yet

 

[robotica]

not going to buy one from blackberry either....

 

[Naraxus]

el oh el....

Software's pretty much the only thing Blackberry has these days

 

[J.Dillinger]

Oh good grief.

 

[CTHarrryH]

Has anyone done a study about whether people actually want one of these. Or have there been estimates of initial cost and ongoing cost to maintain the network connections, maps etc.
Personally, I could see very limited desire to have one and it if cost significantly more that a regular car (which I suspect it will) I wouldn't buy one

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

What sets it apart from Tesla is that instead of the centre dash being a giant touchscreen, it's a full sized qwerty keyboard.

Don't worry - someone will make a snap on accessory for the Tesla that gives you a giant physical keyboard that blocks the bottom third of the screen.

Alternatively, a quick google image search found this:

 

[JRobinsonJr]

Has anyone done a study about whether people actually want one of these. Or have there been estimates of initial cost and ongoing cost to maintain the network connections, maps etc.
Personally, I could see very limited desire to have one and it if cost significantly more that a regular car (which I suspect it will) I wouldn't buy one

They won't be for individual purchase. At least not initially. Instead think of mass transportation systems such as bus lines, taxi, and even over-the-road trucking. All places where there is significant cost/benefit potential.

 

[lunarworks]

At least they can design it to work in the snow...

 

[Ferc Kast]

Blackberry is still alive?

 

[Sharewaredemon]

Has anyone done a study about whether people actually want one of these. Or have there been estimates of initial cost and ongoing cost to maintain the network connections, maps etc.
Personally, I could see very limited desire to have one and it if cost significantly more that a regular car (which I suspect it will) I wouldn't buy one

Baby boomers are never gonna want to give up their illusion of freedom, or their jobs, or their money.

Self driving cars are gonna be used by old people first.

 

[dan110]

This company is run by gluttons for punishment.

 

[Xavier]

Grasping for modern day relevance.

 

[44267547]

Blackberry is still alive?

If they are alive, it's because of their contracts with large corporations who use their services and rely on Their server/E-mail capabilities. Essentially, Blackberry lost revelance appproximately five years ago when they failed to revive a dying Phone. And I was a Blackberry user for years.

 

[Superhai]

Has anyone done a study about whether people actually want one of these.

Companies want them so they eventually can kick out the people driving them.

But imagine being able to work or watch your favorite soap while in heavy traffic if you are commuting or going somewhere else.

When the technology matures it is not unlikely that it will be more safer than how people drive today. Combined with no requirement for rest. Imagine you are going somewhere which normally needs a 24 hour drive, when you are tired and usually would go to a motel, now you could just put your seat back and sleep while the car does the rest.

Or think about all who text and drive, drink and drive.

 

[i think G4 imac]

other companies can learn from their research - just do the opposite

 

[macduke]

It's too bad that they changed their company name from Research in Motion to Blackberry because Research in Motion would be the perfect name for a company that has opened a research lab to develop autonomous driving technology. It also distances them from the failed Blackberry brand.

 

[A.Goldberg]

el oh el....

Software's pretty much the only thing Blackberry has these days

Blackberry has a lot of patents and a quite bit of cash. Chen is an idiot though, they should have gotten into the Android market years ago. Too little too late is Blackberrys MO these days. I'm not feeling this will work out great for them, though they do have quite a bit of experience with automative electronics.

I bought their stock in 2013 I believe at ~$4.35. I'm still ahead on it (at $8 now, was at $13 a while back). I'm thinking it might be time to sell.

 

[acgmph]

At least when the car pulls over to the side and stops working, you'll know what to do: battery pull!

 

[Boatboy24]

#trytostayrelevant

 

[FatherJack1980]

It's too bad that they changed their company name from Research in Motion to Blackberry because Research in Motion would be the perfect name for a company that has opened a research lab to develop autonomous driving technology. It also distances them from the failed Blackberry brand.

Alternatively they could go into porn production ....and name their company then "RIM-ming"

 

[DavisEngeler]

They opened up right next to the RadioShack Space Institute.

 

[drumcat]

Hey Blackberry,

Why not do something you'd be good at, like writing apps that would tie google and apple and blackberry services into a "Blackberry App" or something...

With that sort of thing, I mean at least go down a better traveled path. You don't have the resources to pull this off, and it's going to hasten your demise.