Blackberry, Feds Spending $350 Million On Future Car Tech
Blackberry and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an announcement today that is set to affect roughly 1,000 jobs in the auto sector, helping the tech company build a new generation of automotive safety features and self-driving tech.
The announcement is for a total of $350 million, with $40 million of that coming from the Federal Government. The money will create more than 800 jobs, and the company says it will help preserve 300 more. The federal share is through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a program to encourage spending in R&D.
While Blackberry may have disappeared from the spotlight after sales of its mobile devices fell to the wayside, the company's QNX division still plays a major role behind the scenes in many cars. Last year, the company reported that the QNX operating system was in more than 120 million vehicles around the globe, with brands including Audi, BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Kia, Porsche, and VW. The software controls infotainment systems and digital dashboards. The company currently employs more than 2,000 people in Canada.
This new spending will help the company "develop new automated control systems, upgrade and secure communications in vehicles, and improve vehicle safety and security by expanding its advanced driver-assistance system." Those systems include self-parking, automatic braking, and the company says that they will include driverless cars. They're also planning to develop concept cars as rolling test-beds of the tech.
This isn't the only plan to help boost Canada's auto sector this week. Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced yesterday that the province is planning to invest $40 million over the next three years. The plan is to help retrain auto workers, like those expected to be laid off at GM, so that they can work in other areas of the auto sector.
The Premier's office said that the Driving Prosperity plan would also work to improve the climate for business and innovation. Phase two of the plan will be released later this year.
