Stellantis, in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and BlackBerry QNX, has unveiled a new virtual cockpit simulator, creating new possibilities for development teams designing applications and software for vehicle infotainment systems.
The Stellantis Virtual Engineering Workbench (VEW), which the automaker calls an “industry-first platform,” is a cloud-based development tool that simulates an onboard vehicle computer system, complete with user interface controls. This gives developers the ability to design software for multiple models and operating systems virtually without the need to conduct tests on multiple physical vehicles. The car manufacturer promises the platform will reduce development times by as much as 10,000%, cutting a months-long process down to 24 hours.
The VEW is based on BlackBerry’s QNX Hypervisor virtualization system, a platform capable of simulating operating systems online. The QNX Hypervisor is now available in early access on AWS, Stellantis’s preferred cloud provider since 2022. In a press release, Stellantis Chief Software Officer Yves Bonnefont explained the purpose of the new development tool. “Essentially, we’re able to get closer to our customer’s needs through this technology with faster development cycles, faster feedback loops, and quick delivery of the technology they use and love,” he remarked. BlackBerry IoT President Mattis Eriksson added that the program’s launch on AWS “helps to reduce complexity, accelerate innovation, and cut costs on in-car software development throughout the entire product lifestyle.”
Vehicle infotainment and software have rapidly become top priorities for automakers as the car industry looks to catch up to other, more technologically advanced sectors. By making it easier for third parties to design, test, and launch vehicle infotainment features, Stellantis may see a surge in development among its software partners. To sell vehicles in the near future, dealers and their teams may need to routinely re-familiarize themselves with the products created via the VEW platform, or comparable systems, to ensure they are up to date on the latest features and tools available in each model.
