BlackBerry QNX announced an expansion of its partnership with audio‑technology firm Haleytek to deliver a fully centralized Software‑Defined Audio (SDA) architecture for Volvo Cars’ forthcoming EX60 fully electric SUV. The collaboration builds on QNX’s safety‑certified embedded platform and Haleytek’s audio processing technology, enabling Volvo to offer a premium, software‑driven audio experience on its SPA3 infotainment platform.
The EX60, slated for a late‑summer 2026 launch, will feature a 91‑kWh battery, up to 410 miles of range, and an advanced infotainment stack powered by Qualcomm and Nvidia chips that integrates Google’s Gemini. The new SDA architecture will replace hardware‑based DSP amplifiers with software‑defined solutions, potentially saving Volvo between $22 and $98 per vehicle, according to industry estimates.
For QNX, the deal deepens its foothold with a top‑tier OEM and expands the potential royalty backlog from the EX60 program. The partnership also demonstrates the versatility of QNX’s platform beyond traditional safety‑critical applications, reinforcing the company’s strategy to capture additional revenue streams in automotive and general embedded markets.
“Through collaboration with QNX and Haleytek, we’ve delivered a centralized audio architecture in the EX60 that enables flexibility and long‑term innovation,” said Martin Kristensson, Head of Software‑Defined Vehicle at Volvo Cars. “This approach ensures we can evolve capabilities over time, providing customers with a premium experience that keeps getting better long after they drive off the lot.”
“We are proud to collaborate with Volvo Cars and Haleytek on advancing software‑defined audio in the EX60,” said Grant Courville, SVP of Products and Strategy at QNX. “This implementation demonstrates how QNX Sound enables automakers to migrate more vehicle functions to software.”
The partnership positions QNX as a key enabler in the growing software‑defined vehicle market, where automakers are increasingly shifting from hardware‑centric audio systems to centralized, software‑driven architectures. By offering a scalable, cost‑effective solution, QNX is poised to capture a larger share of the automotive infotainment market, which is expected to grow as vehicles become more software‑centric.
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