Renault Joins Mobility Software Ecosystem Group

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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12th April 2021

Renault has joined with a group of software and digital provider specialists in creating a software ecosystem hoping to power its future mobility offerings.

The automaker has teamed up with Atos, Dassault Systèmes, STMicroelectronics and Thales to create the ‘Software République’ aimed at innovation in intelligent mobility. By pooling each other’s expertise, the partners plan to develop and market together systems and software to provide a sustainable mobility offer for cities, regions, businesses and consumers.

The project will focus on the now common areas of importance in mobility including artificial intelligence, cyber-security, connectivity, embedded electronics and virtual twin technology. This open innovation ecosystem will also welcome new members and develop open collaborations.

To jointly develop and market intelligent mobility systems, three main areas of cooperation have been identified:

• Intelligent systems to facilitate secure connectivity between the vehicle and its digital and physical environment;
• Simulation and data management systems to optimize flows for territories and companies;
• Energy ecosystem to simplify the charging experience.

In a joint statement the companies say they plan to develop new technologies and services to allow an electric car, connected to a compatible charging point, to be automatically recognized and to perform a charge without any action by the user. They also want to improve access to and simulation of mobility information exchanges, instantaneously and openly across cities and regions to enable consumers to select the best means of mobility according to time, comfort or energy management, to help operators improve services, to let public authorities simulate and implement mobility scenarios, such as emergency management, events, etc., and to allow urban planners better anticipate land use planning.

To foster innovation, the Software République will also seek to create an investment fund to finance the most promising start-ups and an incubator to host start-ups in the field of smart mobility technologies, where they will have access to a collaborative virtual development and experimentation environment, and mentoring through a value network. Luca de Meo, chief executive officer of Groupe Renault, said: “In the new mobility value chain, on-board intelligence systems are the new driving force, where all research and investment are now concentrated. Faced with this technological challenge, we are choosing to play collectively and openly. There will be no center of gravity, the value of each will be multiplied by others. The combined expertise in cyber-security, microelectronics, energy and data management will enable us to develop unique, cutting-edge solutions for low-carbon, shared, and responsible mobility, made in Europe.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_