Renault and Nissan, representing a singular entity under their alliance, has signed a partnership with the Microsoft Corporation in a global, multi-layer contract to collectively work toward the next-generation of connected car technologies.
Basically, much of the intelligence that will eventually be achieved and deployed to everyday cars needs a tremendous amount of computing power both (to learn and develop) and in the future (to execute). Barring a huge leap forward in microprocessor miniaturisation, a solution to both of these quandaries cannot be ‘local’ or processed in the car.
A better way out would be to leverage the much more powerful supercomputers that are accessed over the Cloud - literal fields of servers designed to handle a large amount of storage and processing work.
Microsoft operates, albeit rather covertly from the perspective of the average observer, one of the world’s largest Cloud platforms in the world, which they call ‘Azure’. All told, it’s a sizeable source of revenue for the Redmond-based company.
Through this partnership, Renault-Nissan would be able to leverage the Azure platform to accelerate development and collaboration that can lead to more advanced navigation systems, predictive maintenance, remote vehicle monitoring, mobile experiences, and over-the-air updates.
“A car is becoming increasingly connected, intelligent and personal,” said Ogi Redzic, Renault-Nissan Alliance senior vice-president, Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services.
“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.”
Both Renault and Nissan rightly intend to invest heavily in connected car technologies as well as autonomous features. Now, with a partner like Microsoft, they are supplied with the kind of computing power they need to make new innovations happen. Although, our automotive clairvoyance isn’t quite up to scratch to figure out what they have on the horizon. We’ll just have to wait until this new partnership bears fruit.
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. 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.”
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