The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Microsoft have jointly signed a multi-year agreement to partner on next-generation technologies to deliver the future of connected driving.
The companies will develop connected services for cars powered by Microsoft Azure, with the aim to improve the customer experience through advanced navigation, predictive maintenance and vehicle centric services, remote monitoring of car features and external mobile experiences.
The partnership will allow customers to customise their settings knowing that their data is safe and have the option to transfer the settings from one car to another. Customers will be able to download over-the-air updates to, for example, have the latest autonomous drive software and collision-avoidance applications.
Furthermore, by adding connectivity, customers will be able to have access to advance vehicle diagnostic services, allowing the car manufacturer to collect real usage data that will also support vehicle engineering to improve manufacturing quality.
Ogi Redzic, Renault-Nissan Alliance senior vice-president, Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services, said: “A car is becoming increasingly connected, intelligent and personal. Partnering with Microsoft allows us to accelerate the development of the associated key technologies needed to enable scenarios our customers want and build all-new ones they haven’t even imagined. We aim to become the provider of connected mobility for everyone with one single global platform.”
Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive vice president and president, Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations, Microsoft, added: “While the connected car experience is in its infancy, we believe there’s so much potential to dramatically change the industry. We are partnering to accelerate Renault-Nissan’s mobile and cloud strategies and unlock new experiences for their customers.
Renault-Nissan is an exceptional partner thanks to its global presence and range of brands, which enable it to bring entirely new mobile and digital experiences to so many people. This collaboration will bring a new standard to connected cars.”
The Renault-Nissan Alliance aims to develop connected technologies and features to support the launch of more than 10 vehicles with autonomous technologies by 2020. Furthermore, it will continue to develop and launch applications to keep individuals connected to work, entertainment and social networks, and offer vehicle centric services that will simplify and enhance engagement with the car through usage-based information, remote access, remote diagnostics and preventive maintenance.
