Blackberry Inc. has announced that it will launch an SCMS service designed to help the communication between autonomous vehicles and smart-city traffic technology, according to a recent press release.

The SCMS service enables autonomous vehicles to securely transmit real-time data on everything from traffic flows to traffic lights. The service will be free of cost for automakers and public offices that plan to use the infrastructure.

The service will utilize Blackberry’s Certicom technology, a key management and provisioning tool that provides reliable PKI and allows organizations to manage high volumes of certificates.

Blackberry’s SCNS will be used in collaboration with Invest Ottawa, which will use various technologies to create a 16-kilometer test track designed to measure communication between connected vehicles and smart city traffic technology, such as traffic lights.

SMSC service “removes barriers”

The company’s executive chairman and CEO, John Chen, explained why it was important to make these service available to public office and private sectors.

“The future of autonomous vehicles cannot be realized until intelligent transportation systems are put in place. By removing barriers such as security, privacy, and cost, we believe our SCMS service will help accelerate the many Smart City and Connected Vehicle pilot programs taking place around the world.”

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, provided the following statement in response to BlackBerry’s new service: “Our government is focused on ensuring all Canadians stand to benefit from the digital transformation,” he said.

“BlackBerry’s commitment to advancing Smart Cities is yet another step forward for Canadian Innovation. Building on Canada’s promising advancements in the field of autonomous vehicles, it will help our communities use information and communications technology in a way that is secure and safe to improve their residents’ lives.”

Written by Islam Soliman