Shares of BlackBerry Ltd. soared 57% at one point today after the company announced a multiyear agreement with Amazon Web Services Inc. to deliver a data analytics platform for automakers.

The alliance was announced against the backdrop of AWS’ virtual re:Invent event. In another transportation-related customer win, AWS said today that supersonic plane startup Boom Technology Inc. will go “all in” on its cloud.

BlackBerry, originally known as a maker of business phones, now focuses on selling cybersecurity and “internet of things” software. The company is a major player in the auto market: Its software runs inside more than 175 million vehicles worldwide. BlackBerry’s deal with AWS will see it use AWS’ public cloud to power an analytics platform, BlackBerry IVY, that will help automakers harness sensory data generated by their vehicles’ subsystems. 

BlackBerry IVY aims to address inefficiencies that the company says exist in auto industry data-crunching projects. One issue, BlackBerry says, is that car makers often have to use different analytics solutions for different vehicle models. Another challenge is that the various sensors inside a given vehicle often output data in different data formats. 

BlackBerry says the BlackBerry IVY platform will make it easier to collect, normalize and process vehicle data. The company says the platform will be flexible enough for automakers to apply it across several different vehicle models instead of having to use separate analytics solutions. 

Under the hood, BlackBerry IVY will collect data using BlackBerry’s QNX software, a lightweight operating system that can be embedded in vehicles. Automakers will have the ability to configure and manage that embedded software using a management backend powered by the AWS cloud. The companies said the project will make use of AWS’ machine learning and IoT products.

A notable detail is that under the partnership, AWS will not only assist BlackBerry with powering the platform but also help the company market it. That could be a big boon for BlackBerry given how the Amazon.com Inc. subsidiary counts dozens of the world’s largest automakers and  auto industry suppliers as customers.

Also today, AWS said that Boom Supersonic is standardizing information technology operations on its cloud. The well-funded Denver startup had previously used AWS to help design its Boom XB-1 demonstrator plane and, going forward, will rely on the platform to support the development of its Overture supersonic airliner. Boom says the aircraft will be capable of transporting passengers from Tokyo to Seattle in four-and-a-half hours. 

Image: BlackBerry