AI and digital twins accelerate Google’s work with Renault

Renault Group and Google have released details of an expanded partnership designed to deliver the digital architecture for a new Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) platform and accelerate the group's digitalisation. 

Collaboration between the two companies on cloud computing dates back to 2018, with the most recent developments including the creation of a digital twin, a virtual duplicate of the vehicle that will feature artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, for easier integration of services and the creation of new in-car services and offboard applications. 

The two partners will now develop a set of onboard and offboard software components that are dedicated to the SDV and will help the group's Move to Cloud strategy. Renault says the group will eventually transform its entire operational model to the cloud for more agility, better performance, and higher profitability.

"The complexity of the electronic architecture of cars is increasing exponentially, driven by the sophistication of the functionalities and services expected by customers,” says Luca de Meo, Renault Group CEO. “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.”

Renault's digital transformation accelerates with Google

It is hoped the new partnership will increase residual value and after-sales retention - two key drivers of Renault’s financial performance - and help the company roll out its portfolio of new services. De Meo says the strategic partnership with Google will also allow it to accelerate end-to-end digital transformation, from the car's design to its production and market launch.

"Our collaboration with Renault Group has improved comfort, safety, and connectivity on the road,” says Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet. “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." 

Renault Group will expand its use of Google Cloud technology for the SDV to manage data capture and analytics securely and confidentially, as well as software development for the vehicle, say the two companies. This supports uses such as predictive maintenance and better detection and rectification of failures in near real-time; a personalised experience onboard the vehicle to adapt to driving behaviours and regular destinations such as EV charging stations; and insurance models based on actual usage and driving behaviours.

Combined with the Software Defined Vehicle Platform and its Car Data Platform, Renault Group plans to monitor and analyse car usage for a better understanding of customers' needs and behaviours and to design personalised services according to expectations while complying with security and privacy regulations.