#Canada #Nuremberg #QNX #BlackBerry #Hypervisor 8.0

Introducing QNX Hypervisor 8.0 for Safety

On March 10, 2026, in Nuremberg, Germany, BlackBerry Limited’s division, QNX, announced the general availability of its new embedded virtualization platform, QNX Hypervisor 8.0 for Safety. Designed explicitly for safety-critical systems, this hypervisor boasts safety certification, enabling it to cater to the demands of the rapidly evolving Physical AI landscape.

Based on the QNX Software Development Platform (SDP) 8.0, this hypervisor adheres to rigorous safety standards like ISO 26262 ASIL-D, IEC 61508 SIL 4, and IEC 62304 Class C. It extends proven separation guarantees from the QNX OS for Safety’s real-time microkernel into a virtualized environment through a certified virtual machine manager. This functionality is pivotal, as it minimizes the risk of base OS or critical functions being impacted due to anomalies or breaches within guest OS environments.

As the advancement of Physical AI accelerates, sectors such as automotive, robotics, healthcare, and industrial machinery are witnessing a surge in the adoption of next-generation software-defined systems. The imperative for strict functional safety guarantees is crucial in such designs, as Physical AI relies heavily on predictable real-time behavior in actual environments. To effectively manage safety-critical workloads while integrating multiple functions and preventing system performance degradation, a safety-certified hypervisor, like QNX Hypervisor 8.0 for Safety, is indispensable. It serves as a reliable virtualization layer for development teams requiring proven real-time responsiveness in complex system designs where differing levels of importance coexist.

Several QNX customers, including major automobile manufacturers in China and leading European healthcare firms providing clinical services, have already expressed interest in adopting the QNX Hypervisor 8.0 for Safety. These firms are leveraging the hypervisor to modernize the architecture of medical devices, ensuring predictable system behavior, and expediting compliance with regulatory requirements.

Grant Courville, Senior Vice President of QNX’s Product Strategy, noted, “As companies transition to software-defined Physical AI architectures, they cannot compromise on safety, predictability, or development speed. QNX Hypervisor 8.0 for Safety serves as the foundation for meeting these demands simultaneously. The commitments from our customers in the automotive and healthcare industries demonstrate this platform's value in real-world applications.”

Combining the direct hardware access performance typical of type 1 hypervisors with the flexibility expected from type 2 approaches, QNX Hypervisor 8.0 for Safety creates an integrated and efficient virtualization environment. It leverages QNX's real-time microkernel to achieve deterministic behavior, robust separation, and predictable interrupt handling, enabling manufacturers to securely integrate workloads of varying importance. The platform supports multiple guest OS systems, including QNX, Linux, and Android, allowing developers to consolidate a diverse software ecosystem on a single hardware architecture.

For further information about QNX Hypervisor 8.0 for Safety, visit QNX.com and follow @QNX News for updates.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry is renowned for delivering intelligent software and services to enterprises and government agencies worldwide. With its high-performance foundational software, leading automotive manufacturers and major industry players can develop innovative applications and create new revenue streams while ensuring safety, security, and reliability. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, BlackBerry has extensive experience in secure communications, providing operational resilience through a comprehensive portfolio recognized for advanced security and broad certifications, enabling defense against mobile device threats and ensuring mission-critical communication.

About QNX

As a division of BlackBerry Limited, QNX enriches user experiences and expands the potential of technology-driven industries by providing a trusted foundation for growth in software-defined enterprises. Leading the industry in offering secure operating systems, hypervisors, middleware, solutions, and development tools, QNX empowers developers with support and services from embedded software experts. With over 275 million vehicles utilizing QNX technology globally, the platform is trusted across various sectors, including automotive, medical devices, industrial controls, robotics, commercial vehicles, rail, aerospace, and defense. Founded in 1980, QNX is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. For more information, visit qnx.com.