Renault-Nissan join hands with Microsoft to develop connected car tech

The alliance aims to pace the launch of 10 autonomous vehicles by 2020

In a multi-year global joint venture, Renault-Nissan alliance has partnered with Microsoft to develop connected car technologies. The companies will work together for the common goal of developing this technology with the help of Microsoft Azure, one of the company’s intelligent cloud offerings. With the help of this association with Microsoft, Renault-Nissan want to improve the overall customer experience using advanced navigation, predictive maintenance, remotely monitoring car features and more. Aside from this, the partnership aims to develop new car technologies that will help the two car makers in attaining their goal of introducing 10 autonomous vehicles by the end of this decade.

Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive vice president and president, Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations, Microsoft said, “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.”

Microsoft Azure is a platform with multiple operating systems which will give Renault-Nissan the flexibility to shape it as per requirement. The new connected technology deal is likely to give customers the ability to change their setting as per requirement, rest assured that their data is safe and also give you the option of transferring it to another car. Customers will be able to download over-the-air updates that for the latest autonomous drive software and collision-avoidance applications. This platform also allows customers to monitor the car from a distance, including transferring control of the car to a friend without handing over the keys. Locating a stolen car, staying in touch with customers and collecting real data to improve manufacturing quality.

At the official announcement, Ogi Redzic, Renault-Nissan Alliance senior vice-president, Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services said, “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.”

This single platform gives Renault-Nissan a secure global platform to deliver services to its broad customer base worldwide and thereby improve overall vehicle experience.