The two firms will develop an in-vehicle software to enable the software defined vehicle platform and a cloud software to enable a digital twin
Google partners with Renault for software defined vehicle. (Credit: Outreach Pete/Wikimedia Commons)
French automobile manufacturer Renault Group has expanded its partnership with Google to design and deliver the digital architecture of a software defined vehicle (SDV) and expedite its digitalisation journey.
As a part of the partnership, the two companies will build a set of offboard and onboard software components exclusively for the software defined vehicle.
The firms have been collaborating since 2018 and the expansion is part of the automobile manufacturer’s “Move to Cloud” digital transformation initiative.
Renault and Google will develop an in-vehicle software to enable the software defined vehicle platform and a cloud software for enabling a digital twin.
With the software innovations, the French automobile company also aims to lower costs, enhance efficiency, flexibility, and speed of developing vehicles, and increase value for end-users.
Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo said: “Equipped with a shared IT platform, continuous over-the-air updates, and streamlined access to car data, the SDV approach developed in partnership with Google will transform our vehicles to help serve future customers’ needs.
“This will increase residual value and after-sales retention, which are two key drivers of our financial performance, and help Renault to roll out our portfolio of new services.
“Finally, our strategic partnership with Google will allow us to accelerate our end-to-end digital transformation, from the design of the car to its market launch through its production, and ultimately to bring added value to our customers.”
By increasing its use of Google Cloud technology, Renault is expected to better manage data capture and analytics, confidentially and securely for the software defined vehicle.
The technology is expected to help Renault in predictive maintenance and improved detection and rectification of failures in almost real time if required. Besides, it will allow the company to enable customised experience onboard the vehicle.
Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said: “Our collaboration with Renault Group has improved comfort, safety, and connectivity on the road.
“Today’s announcement will help accelerate Renault Group’s digital transformation by bringing together our expertise in the cloud, AI, and Android to provide for a secure, highly-personalised experience that meets customers’ evolving expectations.”