● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 positive
BlackBerry CEO Identifies AI-Powered Robots as Key Growth Area for QNX Software
Key points
- BlackBerry CEO identifies AI-powered robots as a major growth area.
- QNX operating system is expanding beyond automotive into physical AI.
- QNX royalty backlog exceeded $1.2 billion, up $250 million in two quarters.
- Nvidia standardized QNX for its Halos Safety Stack.
BlackBerry's Strategic Shift to Physical AI
BlackBerry CEO John Giamatteo announced that AI-powered robots are a significant growth opportunity for the company. This marks a strategic pivot for BlackBerry, which has reinvented itself from a smartphone manufacturer to a software provider, with its QNX operating system embedded in over 275 million vehicles globally.
The company is now focusing on the emerging market for physical AI, which enables robots and machines to interact with the real world, distinct from generative AI. BlackBerry aims to provide the underlying software for safe and reliable operation of these machines, leveraging its automotive experience.
Growing Backlog and Market Recognition
The expansion into robotics and physical AI is contributing to BlackBerry's increasing QNX royalty backlog, which recently surpassed $1.2 billion. This represents an increase of over $250 million in two quarters. Giamatteo attributed this growth to automakers' shift to advanced computing, expanded software offerings, and demand for physical AI.
Investors have responded positively to this turnaround, with BlackBerry shares surging 142% in 2026. The company's current market capitalization is approximately $5.4 billion, a notable change from its peak of nearly $85 billion in 2008.
Partnership with Nvidia
BlackBerry's partnership with Nvidia, initially in the automotive sector, has expanded. Nvidia has standardized QNX as the platform for its Halos Safety Stack. This collaboration is opening new opportunities, including in automated mobile robots (AMRs).
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
BlackBerry CEO John Giamatteo stated that AI-powered robots represent a significant growth opportunity for the company's QNX operating system. This expansion beyond automotive into physical AI applications is contributing to BlackBerry's growing QNX royalty backlog, which recently surpassed $1.2 billion.