BlackBerry QNX is pursuing a growing market for software used in AI-powered robots, CEO John Giamatteo said on October 26, 2026, as the company builds on its established automotive business.

Key Takeaways

  • QNX software is embedded in more than 275 million vehicles worldwide.
  • The QNX royalty backlog recently surpassed $1.2 billion, rising by more than $250 million over two quarters.
  • Giamatteo said Nvidia has standardized on QNX for its Halos Safety Stack.

BlackBerry QNX looks beyond vehicles

QNX provides underlying software for vehicle features ranging from braking systems to some semi-autonomous driving functions. BlackBerry now sees an opportunity to supply software that helps robots and other machines operate safely and reliably.

Giamatteo said robotics has become one of the fastest-growing businesses within QNX. Unlike generative AI, which produces content such as text and images, physical AI enables machines to interact with the real world.

Backlog growth and Nvidia partnership

BlackBerry recently announced that its QNX royalty backlog had surpassed $1.2 billion. Giamatteo attributed its growth to automakers moving toward more advanced computing systems, a broader software offering and emerging demand for physical AI applications. The backlog figure is not a reported revenue result.

The CEO also highlighted BlackBerry’s partnership with Nvidia, which began in automotive technology. He said Nvidia’s choice of QNX for its Halos Safety Stack has opened opportunities involving automated mobile robots, autonomous forklifts and machines that move pallets to docking stations.

A shift from BlackBerry’s smartphone era

Canada-based BlackBerry was once among the world’s largest mobile phone makers. Formerly known as Research in Motion, it reached a market capitalization of nearly $85 billion in 2008.

As of October 26, 2026, BlackBerry shares had risen 142% that year, and the company’s market capitalization was about $5.4 billion.

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