The system will allow automakers to run a common software platform for vehicle systems like engine controllers, vehicle trackers (TCUs) and digital cockpits. At the same time, it'll use Amazon's AWS technology to let automakers access vehicle sensor data, build apps and create machine learning models using vehicle data. It'll also allow for secure connectivity and over-the-air software updates.

BlackBerry has already jumped into vehicle security in a big way, offering its Jarvis system to help automakers spot bugs that could be exploited by hackers. Vehicles are rapidly becoming very complex with things like personal assistants and IoT features that can detect when you'll arrive home and activate the heating, for instance. Electric vehicles might also become an integrated part of home and grid backups, requiring complex software to control everything.

As such, they'll become a mighty tempting hacking target. As it stands now, many connected home and IoT products have very wonky security (including products from Amazon, by the way). As such, BlackBerry and AWS are trying to address that issue with with connected cars -- where the consequences of an attack are much greater.