Renault-Nissan Alliance Partners With Microsoft

Automakers around the world are working to revolutionize the future of the automotive industry. They all envision commuters travelling in autonomous vehicles, powered by electricity with zero harmful emissions. On September 26, 2016, the Renault-Nissan alliance collaborated with Microsoft to develop technologies to design and develop vehicles for the future.

The companies will work together to develop next-gen connected services for cars powered by Microsoft Azure, a cloud-based service. It is a proven, secure global cloud platform that will allow Renault-Nissan to deliver services worldwide to its broad customer base. The new services will enhance customer experience via advanced navigation, predictive maintenance and vehicle-centric services, remote monitoring of car features and over-the-air software updates.

Addressing the press, 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.”

“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,” said Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive vice-president and president, Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations. “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 French-Japanese alliance wants to develop a next-gen infotainment and location-based service that will allow customers to personalize and protect their vehicle settings, increase their productivity on the move, help them stay connected with friends and family, monitor certain aspects of the car from a distance, and protect the vehicle from theft with the help of 'Geofencing' technology.

Microsoft recently signed a similar agreement with German carmaker Mercedes-Benz to develop an 'In Car Office'. The idea is to synchronize the car owner’s work calendar, contacts list and to-do list with the car’s on-board computer and help the commuter be more productive on the move.