QNX Technology to Help Drive BMW Group's Next-Generation of Software-Defined Vehicles

Rhea-AI Summary

QNX (NYSE:BB) announced its foundational software will be integrated into BMW Group's Neue Klasse to support safety-critical systems across the automaker's next-generation vehicles.

The integration builds on a multi-year partnership first announced in 2021 and positions QNX's real-time operating system and hypervisor as the core safety layer for a digital architecture driven by four high-performance "Superbrains." QNX says its software is used by 24 of the top 25 EV automakers and is embedded in more than 275 million vehicles, while BMW describes the Neue Klasse computers as delivering 20x the processing power of prior generations.

Positive

• QNX software selected as core safety layer for BMW Neue Klasse
• Partnership builds on a multi-year agreement dating to 2021
• QNX platform used by 24 of the top 25 EV automakers
• Foundational software embedded in 275M+ vehicles
• Neue Klasse architecture uses four "Superbrains" with 20x processing power

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Current price $3.88 Pre-news market context for BB

52-week high $6.24 Pre-news 52-week range

52-week low $2.80 Pre-news 52-week range

Top EV automakers using QNX 24 of top 25 QNX real-time OS and hypervisor adoption

Vehicles with QNX more than 275 million QNX software embedded on-road vehicle base

Neue Klasse Superbrains 4 computing units Central high-performance units in BMW Neue Klasse

Processing power increase 20x Neue Klasse vs previous BMW vehicle generations

Market Reality Check

$3.86 Last Close

Volume Volume 9,989,294 is broadly in line with 20-day average 9,657,866 (relative volume 1.03x). normal

Technical Shares at $3.88 are trading below the 200-day MA of $4.05 and about 37.82% under the 52-week high of $6.24.

Peers on Argus

Peers show mixed moves, e.g., EVTC up 4.76%, while NN is down 3.87% and AI down 0.43%, indicating today’s 2.11% gain in BB looks more stock-specific than sector-driven.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 22	Investor briefing	Positive	+4.8%	Announcement of CES 2026 investor presentation focused on QNX growth.
Dec 18	Earnings results	Positive	+1.6%	Q3 FY2026 results with revenue beat and positive cash flow metrics.
Dec 17	Product update	Positive	-3.0%	Modernized BlackBerry AtHoc mobile experience for critical event management.
Dec 16	Adoption milestone	Positive	+3.3%	QNX embedded in more than 275 million vehicles worldwide milestone.
Dec 08	Conference showcase	Positive	+2.1%	Plans to showcase QNX innovations for software-defined vehicles at CES 2026.

Pattern Detected

Recent QNX- and CES-related announcements have often coincided with positive price reactions, while some product news saw short-term divergence.

Recent Company History

Over the last month, BlackBerry has highlighted QNX growth and CES 2026 positioning. On Dec 16, 2025, QNX reported deployment in over 275 million vehicles, with BB rising 3.29%. Earnings on Dec 18, 2025 showed Q3 FY2026 revenue of $141.8M and QNX revenue of $68.7M, with a 1.64% gain. CES-focused previews and investor events around early January drew additional modest gains. Today’s BMW Neue Klasse integration extends that QNX automotive momentum theme.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights an expanded role for QNX as the core safety layer in BMW’s Neue Klasse software-defined vehicles, leveraging its real-time operating system and hypervisor across four central “Superbrain” computing units. It builds on prior QNX milestones, including deployment in more than 275 million vehicles and record Q3 FY2026 segment revenue of $68.7M. Investors may watch for contract visibility, per-vehicle economics, and further automotive design wins to gauge long-term impact.

Key Terms

software-defined vehicles technical

"innovations for Software-Defined Vehicles and Mission-Critical Embedded Systems"

Vehicles whose key features and performance are controlled and updated primarily through software rather than fixed hardware designs. Like a smartphone that gains new apps and capabilities over time, these cars can receive over-the-air updates that add features, improve efficiency, or fix issues, which matters to investors because it can extend product life, create ongoing revenue from software services, lower recall risk, and change how value is created and captured in the auto industry.

SAE Level 2/2+ technical

"to develop and deploy SAE Level 2/2+ driver assistance systems"

SAE Level 2 describes a vehicle automation stage where the car can steer and control speed simultaneously, but a human driver must stay engaged and ready to take over at any moment; think of it like an automatic pilot that still needs a hands-on human co-pilot. “Level 2+” is an industry label for enhanced versions of this capability with extra sensors or driver aids, without meeting the higher autonomy standards. For investors, the distinction affects product positioning, regulatory hurdles, safety liability and development costs, all of which influence market adoption and a company’s competitive edge.

real-time operating system technical

"QNX's real-time operating system and hypervisor technologies, used by 24 of the top 25"

A real-time operating system is specialized software that manages a device’s hardware and applications so tasks run at predictable, guaranteed times instead of whenever resources happen to be free. For investors it matters because predictable timing is often critical for safety, regulatory approval and customer trust in products like medical devices, cars and industrial controllers—think of it as the conductor or traffic controller that keeps time-sensitive equipment from failing under pressure.

hypervisor technical

"real-time operating system and hypervisor technologies, used by 24 of the top 25"

A hypervisor is software that creates and runs multiple virtual computers on a single physical server, like an apartment building that lets many households share one foundation while keeping each unit separate. Investors care because hypervisors improve hardware efficiency, lower operating costs, enable cloud services and scalable product offerings, and can be a source of licensing or support revenue—factors that affect profitability and competitive position.

over-the-air updates technical

"platform that decouples hardware from software and enables rapid integration of AI, over-the-air updates"

Over-the-air updates are wireless software or firmware changes sent remotely to devices such as cars, phones or appliances without needing a physical connection. For investors, they matter because they let companies fix bugs, add features, improve security and extend product life quickly and cheaply—similar to receiving a software “package” in the mail rather than returning the whole product—and can influence customer satisfaction, recurring revenue and ongoing costs.

advanced driver assistance systems technical

"from digital cockpits and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to infotainment systems"

Advanced driver assistance systems are electronic tools built into vehicles that act like a cooperative co‑pilot — they monitor road conditions and help with tasks such as keeping lanes, adjusting speed, parking, and automatically braking to avoid collisions. Investors care because these systems influence vehicle safety ratings, regulatory compliance, product appeal, and costs; they can change revenue mix and liability exposure for automakers, suppliers, and tech companies as adoption increases.

ADAS technical

"from digital cockpits and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to infotainment systems"

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are electronic systems in vehicles that assist the driver with safety tasks. Examples include automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. These systems use sensors and cameras to improve vehicle safety.

domain controllers technical

"to infotainment systems and domain controllers, enabling automakers to bring innovation"

A domain controller is a central server that stores and enforces an organization’s user accounts, passwords and access rules across its computer network—like a building’s security desk that checks IDs and decides who can enter which rooms. For investors, domain controllers matter because they are critical to day‑to‑day operations, data protection and regulatory compliance; compromise or failure can lead to outages, data breaches and financial or legal consequences.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA / ACCESS Newswire / January 6, 2026 / QNX, a division of BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB)(TSX:BB) today announced that its technology will be integrated into BMW's new vehicle generation "Neue Klasse" to support safety-critical systems across the automaker's next-generation model line-up.

The milestone builds on the multi-year agreement between QNX and BMW Group, first announced in 2021, to develop and deploy SAE Level 2/2+ driver assistance systems across multiple vehicle lines. The Neue Klasse represents the next evolution of that collaboration, with QNX®'s foundational software now serving as the core safety layer for BMW's radically reimagined vehicle architecture.

BMW Group's Neue Klasse introduces a digital nervous system powered by four high-performance computing units - known as "Superbrains" - that manage core functions such as automated driving, infotainment, driving dynamics, and vehicle operations. QNX's real-time operating system and hypervisor technologies, used by 24 of the top 25 EV automakers and embedded in more than 275 million vehicles on the road today, will enable deterministic performance, secure domain separation, and fail-operational capabilities across these mission-critical domains.

"BMW's Neue Klasse marks a significant step forward in SDV innovation, and we're honored that QNX foundational software will play a central role in enabling its safety-critical systems," said John Wall, President, QNX. "Our real-time operating system is engineered to meet the highest standards of functional safety, reliability, and performance. By powering the digital nervous system of these vehicles, QNX is helping BMW deliver a new era of intelligent mobility - where software-defined architectures enable continuous innovation, secure domain separation, and fail-operational capabilities across every zone of the car."

"The Neue Klasse is not just a new vehicle - it's a complete redefinition of our product and technology strategy," said Chris Salzmann, Vice President, Software Platforms Safe-POSIX, Real-time, BMW Group. "With four central computing units delivering 20 times the processing power of previous generations, we've created a platform that decouples hardware from software and enables rapid integration of AI, over-the-air updates, and advanced safety systems. Trusted partners like QNX are essential to the market success of our products. Their proven expertise in safety-critical software gives us the confidence to scale innovation across our global portfolio while maintaining the highest standards of security and performance."

As SDV complexity grows, QNX remains committed to helping automakers navigate change, accelerate innovation, and deliver safer, smarter vehicles. QNX is trusted as the foundation for a software-driven future by most leading OEMs and Tier 1s worldwide, including BMW Group, Bosch, Continental, Dongfeng Motor, Geely, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo, and more. Its foundational software supports future-proof engineering design, from digital cockpits and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to infotainment systems and domain controllers, enabling automakers to bring innovation to market faster and at lower cost.

For more information on QNX, visit qnx.software and follow @QNX News.

-ENDS-

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides enterprises and governments the intelligent software and services that power the world around us. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company's high-performance foundational software enables major automakers and industrial giants alike to unlock transformative applications, drive new revenue streams and launch innovative business models, all without sacrificing safety, security, and reliability. With a deep heritage in Secure Communications, BlackBerry delivers operational resiliency with a comprehensive, highly secure, and extensively certified portfolio for mobile fortification, mission-critical communications, and critical events management.

About QNX

QNX, a division of BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB), enhances the human experience and amplifies technology-driven industries, providing a trusted foundation for software-defined businesses to thrive. The business leads the way in delivering safe and secure operating systems, hypervisors, middleware, solutions, and development tools, along with support and services delivered by trusted embedded software experts. QNX® technology has been deployed in the world's most critical embedded systems, including more than 275 million vehicles on the road today. QNX® software is trusted across industries including automotive, medical devices, industrial controls, robotics, commercial vehicles, rail, and aerospace and defense. Founded in 1980, QNX is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. Learn more at qnx.com.

©2025 BlackBerry Limited. Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design, QNX and the QNX logo design are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services.

Media Contacts:

BlackBerry Media Relations
+1 (519) 597-7273
mediarelations@BlackBerry.com

SOURCE: QNX

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What did QNX announce about BMW's Neue Klasse on January 6, 2026 (BB)?

QNX said its real-time OS and hypervisor will serve as the core safety layer for BMW's Neue Klasse safety-critical systems.

How does the QNX–BMW arrangement relate to previous agreements for BB?

The integration builds on a multi-year agreement first announced in 2021 to develop SAE Level 2/2+ driver assistance systems.

What technical role will QNX software play in BMW Neue Klasse vehicles?

QNX will provide deterministic performance, secure domain separation, and fail-operational capabilities across automated driving, infotainment, and vehicle domains.

What scale claims did QNX cite about its automotive footprint in the announcement?

QNX said its software is used by 24 of the top 25 EV automakers and embedded in more than 275 million vehicles.

What computing architecture does BMW say Neue Klasse uses and how much faster is it?

BMW described a digital nervous system powered by four "Superbrains" delivering 20x the processing power of previous generations.

Where can investors find more information about QNX and this collaboration?

QNX directs interested parties to qnx.software and its @QNX News channels for more details.