Business model overview

QNX CAR is a new approach to prototyping and productizing in-vehicle systems that includes an application platform, inclusive ecosystem, and enablement strategy. QNX CAR pre-integrates standard QNX products, third party technologies and code from our technology incubator – then delivers it through a new, simple and low risk business model.

This new model takes into account the fact that tier one companies often do a lot of development in order to win business, but this development isn’t funded by a customer. By using the QNX CAR reference implementations, tier ones can quickly build compelling demos to help win new OEM business. Furthermore, by offering our tier one customers the chance to prototype with QNX CAR for free, we’re reducing their prototyping time and costs, and ultimately reducing their risks.

Development seats

In order to use the technologies and products provided in QNX CAR, customers require a valid QNX Developer License. This is a no brainer for existing customers, but what if someone wants to evaluate QNX CAR? No worries – you can readily get a QNX Software Development Platform evaluation license.

QNX CAR hardware

In order to make the experience of getting started with QNX CAR as simple as possible, we’ll be shipping qualified members a loaner development board pre-loaded with a reference software implementation. There is no cost to the member for this hardware. We are lending it to use for internal evaluation and prototyping, and for external demonstration purposes, for as long as required. QNX CAR software is for use with the hardware we deliver. If you would like to use QNX CAR with other hardware, you will need to contact us.

QNX CAR project on Foundry 27

Once the project is up and running on March 12, access to browse the project wiki page and documentation will be public. However, access to the software downloads on the project will be limited to QNX CAR members. There is no cost for members to access this project.

QNX CAR software and products

At a high level, QNX CAR technology is provided as a set of reference implementations built using:

• QNX products
• QNX BSPs
• QNX technology incubator code
• Third party integrations

QNX-specific products included in QNX CAR include:

• QNX Neutrino RTOS
• QNX Aviage HMI Suite
• QNX Aviage Multimedia Suite
• QNX Aviage Acoustic Processing
• Source for integration between QNX and third-party software (some exceptions are made for third party technologies with licensing restrictions)
• Source code to QNX technology where possible

In the old world (pre QNX CAR), customers were required to purchase the relevant QNX products such as those in the QNX Aviage portfolio. In this new era, this is no longer the case. QNX CAR members can use all of the QNX CAR products and software for free while they’re prototyping. We don’t charge QNX CAR license fees unless you win the business.

Once members transition from prototyping and evaluation to commercial development for a production based program, they are expected to pay for the products involved. This includes shifting development from QNX supplied hardware to another platform. QNX offers a subscription based model for the QNX products used in the QNX CAR reference implementations. You can find out more about our pricing by contacting us.

QNX CAR and third-party products

QNX has a broad and inclusive ecosystem. As part of the QNX CAR program, we’ve worked with an initial list of select key technology providers to create a pre-integrated offering. There are three categories of third parties involved and each has specific licensing considerations.

For some third parties, QNX Software Systems has negotiated sublicensing and redistribution rights directly. As such, our customers do not have to engage with the third party to secure redistribution rights. They can get everything they need directly from us.

Other third parties participating in the QNX CAR program have enabled QNX Software Systems with the ability to provide evaluation copies of their technology as part of QNX CAR. For this group, our customers do not need to engage with the third party until they have concluded their prototyping and wish to start commercial development for a production-based program or to redistribute their derivative work for the purposes of demonstration or commercial sale. At this point, customers will need to work directly with the third parties involved to negotiate whatever sublicensing and redistribution rights they may need.

Finally, there are third parties with licensing models that do not easily fit into the QNX CAR model. In this case, customers will need to engage directly with those companies to secure evaluation and redistribution rights from the get go.

QNX Software Systems believes that it should be easy for our customers to prototype based on QNX CAR. Currently, the QNX automotive ecosystem includes almost 100 companies with products that work with QNX but are not yet part of QNX CAR. We are working with them to add more integrated partner products right out of the box. Until then, customers can continue to engage with those companies directly.

QNX CAR and technical support

Like all Foundry27 projects, QNX CAR comes with community support in that all engineers participating in the project will try to answer questions and help each other out.

To address the mix of QNX and third party products in our technology incubator, QNX has developed a new service offering designed to help customers in their adoption and deployment of QNX CAR technology. Customers interested in this commercial support model are invited to contact their local sales representative about the QNX Automotive Solutions Team.

QNX CAR and deployments

Just like many of the third party products involved in QNX CAR, the QNX product portfolio involves royalty payments for runtime deployments. This back-end weighted business model serves to align everyone’s interests with a successful product deployment. Customers will negotiate royalties with QNX and any other third party suppliers as required based on the software they want to use. Please contact us to get more information on pricing.

That’s it, now you know everything you need to know about test driving, leasing, and shipping QNX CAR – why not take it for a spin?