Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi teamed with Google in 2018 to incorporate its software platform and services such as Google Maps and Assistant into automobiles. Renault Group (Renault, Dacia, Alpine, and Mobilize) is now extending that collaboration with Google to build a “software-defined vehicle” (SDV) based on Android Automotive OS. The goal is to give “new on-demand services and continual improvements to the automobile,” with Google serving as the “preferred cloud provider.”
The firms will collaborate on a “Digital Twin,” or a virtual representation of the automobile, to hasten development. It will leverage powerful AI capabilities to enable the firms to more quickly incorporate new features and services into the car, as well as “new onboard (In-Car Services) and offboard applications,” according to the companies. It will also enable “constant improvements to the automobile.”
According to the firms, the SDV would enable predictive maintenance as well as improved identification and correction of faults in near real-time. It will also provide a tailored experience that adjusts to driving habits such as frequent locations, EV charging stations utilised, and so on. It would also assist corporations in developing “insurance models based on real use and driving behaviour.”
Tesla pioneered the concept of software-defined cars, which allow for continual upgrades to its EVs and the addition of new features through over-the-air software updates. Hyundai, Porsche, and other major manufacturers have already announced intentions to develop their own SDVs. Renault Group, on the other hand, looks to be collaborating closely with Google to build its own system.
