QNX @ Hack the 6ix

Welcome hackers! QNX is pleased to be meeting so many of you this weekend and to get the chance to show you the power of the QNX 8.0 Operating System in embedded projects. Read on for more information about the QNX challenge, prizes, and the raffle!

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Welcome! This page is a work-in-progress as we prepare for Hack the 6ix in July!

This page contains everything you need to get started with QNX this weekend and beyond.

  1. What is QNX? ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ
  2. QNX Hackathon Challenge ๐Ÿ†
  3. Get Hardware For The Weekend! ๐Ÿฅง
  4. Helpful Links ๐Ÿ“–
    1. Getting Started
    2. Technical Links
    3. The QNX Job Board
  5. Meet The Team ๐Ÿ™‹
  6. QNX at Past Events ๐Ÿ“ธ
  7. Subscriber Raffle! ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ

What is QNX? ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ

QNX is a powerful, real-time operating system designed for critical applications where reliability and performance are paramount. The QNX 8 OS, in particular, offers advanced features like adaptive partitioning and high availability, making it ideal for industries ranging from automotive to medical devices. Imagine an OS that can handle complex tasks with precision, determinism, and minimal downtime โ€“ that's QNX 8.

It's probably under the hood in the car, bus, or train you took today, or powering the streetlights and pedestrian signals you passed on your way here. It's Everywhere.


QNX Hackathon Challenge ๐Ÿ†

The QNX prize is awarded for The Best Use of QNX!

Goal: Create a project using QNX. It can be a software project or one that drives some hardware components.

Prizes

One Winner: $500 in Amazon Gift Cards + QNX Swag Box
Everyone: Functional projects are featured by QNX at gitlab.com/qnx/projects; Everyone: Teams who submit a project on QNX can keep your teamโ€™s Raspberry Pi 4B kit!

(QNX has a limited supply of hardware components to loan to teams โ€“ see below!)

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Note for cameras projects: only very specific cameras are supported.

Challenge Thought Prompts

  • Can you make something that moves and accomplishes a goal?
  • Can you prototype an industrial control system?
  • Can you prototype a hardware solution to a real-world problem?
  • Can you create an entertaining game or physical challenge?
  • Can you port an open-source Linux utility or library to QNX and show a running demo?
  • Can you create an interesting prototype dashboard for industrial control or automation?
  • Can you create a game or some other useful UI running on QNX? (Available frameworks include QT, GTK, etc, plus core QNX Screen API.)

Get Hardware For The Weekend! ๐Ÿฅง

QNX has a collection of hardware available to borrow for the weekend. Come visit the hardware distribution area on Friday at 10 PM to borrow some gear.

Raspberry Pi 4B kits

Kits include power, a video cable, and a micro-SD card with QNX 8.0 preloaded. It's ready to boot up and get started! Here's information about setting it up without a monitor if you're going headless.

Other available hardware

We've brought a limited selection of hardware components to help you create interesting things if you're making a hardware project. These can be borrowed from us over the weekend as supplies last โ€“ please make sure to return them after judging on Sunday!

Some components include:

  • Trilobot Driving Robot kits w/ built-in sensors
  • Micro-servos
  • Neopixel RGB LED rings
  • RGB LED strips
  • Rotary encoders
  • DHT22 temp/humidity sensors
  • LEDs and Buttons
  • and more!

Recent, working sample code is available for many of these components (as well as examples for SPI and I2C interfaces) at gitlab.com/qnx/projects.


Helpful Links ๐Ÿ“–

Getting Started

These links point you to the things you'll need to get started with QNX development and the QNX OS on Raspberry Pi.

  1. Get a free QNX developer license: qnx.com/getqnx
  2. Quickstart: Five Steps to Developing a QNX OS Program
  3. Quickstart: QNX Toolkit for VS Code (and optionally: How to use macOS to develop for QNX 8.0)
  4. QNX on Raspberry Pi Documentation

These other links visit additional resources to help with your development:

The QNX Job Board

QNX is hiring! Check out the job board for any roles that fit your expertise. Not sure if something is a fit for you? Drop by during the career fair hours and chat with us.

Career Opportunities
Over the past 35 years, QNX software, a subsidiary of BlackBerry has become a big part of everyday life. People encounter QNX-controlled systems whenever they drive, shop, watch TV, use the Internet, or even turn on a light. Its ultra-reliable nature means QNX software is the preferred choice for life-critical systems such as air traffic control systems, surgical equipment, and nuclear power plants. And its cool multimedia features have QNX software turning up in everything from in-dash radios, infotainment systems to the latest casino gaming terminals and most recently we are making headlines in the world of autonomous vehicles. If you want your career to switch gears, then you couldnโ€™t choose a more exciting time to consider joining us! BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) is a trusted security software and services company that provides enterprises and governments with the technology they need to secure the Internet of Things. Headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, the company is unwavering in its commitment to safety, cybersecurity and data privacy, and leads in key areas such as artificial intelligence, endpoint security and management, encryption and embedded systems. You couldnโ€™t choose a more exciting time to consider joining us! For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry. ยฉ2025 BlackBerry. All right reserved. BlackBerryยฎ and related trademarks, names, and logos are the property of BlackBerry Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. It is the policy of BlackBerry to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship, status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law. EEO Minorities/Females/Protected Veteran Disabled BlackBerry strives to create an accessible and inclusive application and selection process and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to job applicants who may require provisions to participate in the selection process. Should you require an accommodation, please contact recruitment@blackberry.com or contact our HR department by calling 1-519-888-7465. We will reply to your request as soon as possible. Federal Employment Law Posters: EEO is the Law Employee Polygraph Protection Act FMLA Federal Contractor Postings: E-Verify Right to Work EEO is the Law Supplement Pay Transparency HELPFUL LINKS: Contact Us Application Process Careers FAQ RETURN TO JOB POSTINGS

Meet The Team ๐Ÿ™‹

Stop by the QNX table or events to meet some of the QNX team.

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John
Dev Relations

Praveen
Product Manager

Neil
QNX Developer

Roberto
QNX Developer

Darcy
QNX Developer

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QNX Developer

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QNX Developer

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QNX Developer
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QNX Developer
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QNX Developer

QNX at Past Events ๐Ÿ“ธ


Subscriber Raffle! ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ

Subscribe to the blog during the event using the form below to be entered into a draw for a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Rules:

  • You must subscribe using the Sign-up field and button below (so we know you came from this page!)
  • One entry per person

(If you do not see a sign-up form above this line, then you're already subscribed โ€“ let us know so we can enter you into the raffle!)