Mr. Grant Courville reports

FERNRIDE SELECTS QNX FOR SAFETY-CERTIFIED AUTONOMOUS TERMINAL TRACTOR SOLUTION

QNX's QNX OS for Safety has been deployed by Fernride to enhance the reliability and security of its safety-critical autonomous terminal tractor solution. QNX is a division of BlackBerry Ltd.

A pioneer in scalable automation solutions for port and yard logistics, Fernride is transforming operations in container terminals, where efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness are paramount. With the global demand for streamlined logistics on the rise, container terminals are adopting advanced technologies to address challenges such as labour shortages, tight delivery schedules and the need for 24-hour-a-day/seven-day-a-week operations. In response, Fernride has developed an autonomous terminal tractor solution, pioneering the path toward compliance with the European Machinery Directive (Directive 2006/42/EC) and European Union Declaration of Conformity (CE Marking) in the field of autonomous logistics. With foundational embedded software from QNX, Fernride has since been able to accelerate its development efforts, moving closer to these milestones.

"Safety is a non-negotiable priority at Fernride," said John Hughes, senior engineering manager at Fernride. "As a next milestone, we will remove the safety driver from the cabin of our autonomous terminal tractors to unlock the path to scaling with our customers. To do this, we need to authoritatively prove that the entire system is safe. Choosing a certified operating system means we are able to shorten the timeline for getting the entire technology stack for our solution certified. It is important for us to be mindful of our resources without compromising the quality of the outcome."

Safety built in from the ground up

Certified to ISO 26262 ASIL D, QNX OS for Safety provides a robust foundation for developing and deploying advanced automotive solutions, while allowing customers to meet stringent EU safety compliance regulations. Using QNX OS for Safety meant Fernride could meet the high standards of functional safety and focus its efforts on innovation instead of certifying its operating system.

"We are proud to collaborate with Fernride to deliver its cutting-edge autonomous solution, especially at a time when the logistics industry is urgently seeking ways to reduce costs while not compromising on meeting safety goals," said Grant Courville, senior vice-president, products and strategy, at QNX. "By leveraging the capabilities of safety-certified software and engineering services, Fernride is helping to drive the future of autonomy and empowering their customers to achieve next-level efficiency and safety. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to working with companies at the forefront of innovation who prioritize safety, security, reliability and performance."

Ease of use delivers faster GTM

QNX OS for Safety is POSIX-compliant, making it easy for developers who are used to Linux to make the switch to QNX. For Fernride, it meant its developers were up and running on QNX quickly, making it an ideal choice for developing its solution that included both a safety component based on QNX and a non-safety component based on Linux. Fernride was able to meet its deadlines efficiently, with the confidence that its critical system maintained the highest safety standards, accelerating its time to market.

QNX powers critical applications across various embedded industries and is trusted as the software foundation by most leading OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and Tier 1 companies worldwide, including BMW, Bosch, Continental, Dongfeng Motor, Geely, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo and more. By championing innovation and safety, QNX continues to drive the future of embedded technology, ensuring seamless integration and high performance in mission-critical environments.

About BlackBerry Ltd.

BlackBerry provides enterprises and governments the intelligent software and services that power the world. Based in Waterloo, Ont., 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, 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 255 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 defence. Founded in 1980, QNX is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada.