Qualcomm and French automaker Renault Group continue to evolve a partnership that began with technical collaboration the companies started in 2018, and which they have been continuing to expand on through 2022.
In the latest step for the partners, Qualcomm Technologies or an affiliate will invest in Renault’s electric vehicle spin-off, Ampere, a revelation that comes as Renault announced a broader plan to restructure its current businesses into five separate entities, according to a Reuters report.
In addition, the partners also plan to leverage Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis model to develop a new centralized compute architecture for Renault’s next-generation of software defined vehicles. The “Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Platforms” will support digital cockpit, connectivity, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the partners said in a statement.
Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo, added, "From the mobile to the car with advanced and revolutionary technology, the Software Defined Vehicle is the future of the automotive industry: it is about meeting expectations in terms of functionality and services while controlling complexity and costs. Renault Group is strengthening its strategic collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, a major mobile and automotive technology player, to bring the first open and horizontal Software Defined Vehicle platform to the automotive market. The combination of Renault Group's expertise in automotive technology and Qualcomm Technologies’ proven leadership in the high-performance low power semiconductors, software and systems platforms will enable us to provide a scalable, competitive and innovative software-defined vehicle platform foundation to drive the services ecosystem and deliver value to our customers.”
Renault vehicles will start employing the new Snapdragon-powered platforms beginning in 2026. The companies said the SDV Platforms will “make the on-board experience more immersive and personal; and centralize other vehicle functions, such as advanced driver assistance (ADAS), body, chassis, telematics, connectivity, Power Line Communications (PLC), safety and cybersecurity in the Physical Computer Unit (PCU).” the statement said. “This will optimize hardware and software costs, allowing connection to the Physical Interface Unit (PIU), which provides the zonal interface with the vehicle’s actuators. In parallel, the SDV architecture is designed to be open to other vehicle manufacturers.”
Renault previously has used the Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms in the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric’s OpenR Link multimedia system. Earlier this year, Stellantis also announced plans to incorporate Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms into its future vehicle models.