BlackBerry Radar tracking system unveiled at trucking show

A Canadian flag flies at BlackBerry's headquarters in Waterloo, Ont., July 9, 2013. (Geoff Robins/The Canadian Press)

WATERLOO, Ont. - BlackBerry has unveiled a tracking system intended to help trucking companies and car fleet operators improve delivery times, reduce theft and lower costs.

Dubbed BlackBerry Radar, the device can monitor location, temperature, humidity and cargo, all in an effort to help companies optimize how they use their trailers and shipping containers.

BlackBerry Radar, which operates on cloud-based software, can be used to alert users when a trailer door opens or closes, or inform warehouse workers when a trailer is approaching.

The Waterloo, Ont.-based company says the encrypted information provided by the tracking system should help workers make profitable decisions.

BlackBerry (TSX:BB) revealed the new product at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.

It has partnered with a number of companies for a pilot program and expects to have the device available to the public this summer.

The announcement comes a day before the company is due to release its fourth quarter and annual earnings reports Friday.

Some industry watchers have been speculating BlackBerry may withdraw from the smartphone hardware business if sales for its newest device, the Priv, have faltered since its November 2015 launch.