Summary
– Renault Group is approaching autonomous vehicle strategy by separating expectations for individual vehicles from public transportation
– For individual vehicles, Renault offers top-level driving assistance for safety and comfort
– For public transportation, Renault aims for autonomy to meet the growing need for low-carbon mobility
– Renault Group is partnering with WeRide for autonomous driving technologies, with a demonstration at Roland-Garros 2024
– Renault plans to offer electric, robotised miniBus platforms for autonomous public transportation
Article
Renault Group has developed a strategic approach to autonomous vehicles, separating the needs for individual vehicles from those of public transportation. For individual vehicles, the focus is on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to enhance safety and comfort, while autonomy is deemed relevant for public transportation to meet the demand for low-carbon mobility. The company has partnered with WeRide, a leader in autonomous driving technologies, for demonstrations at events like the Roland-Garros 2024 tennis tournament.
The French automaker believes in making technology accessible and useful to a wide audience, offering top-level driver assistance on its vehicles for individual use. However, achieving complete vehicle autonomy for individual vehicles is currently deemed unlikely due to regulations, customer expectations, and technology costs. In contrast, for public transportation, Renault Group is actively working towards sustainable and autonomous mobility, with trials and partnerships in place to develop autonomous miniBus platforms to meet the growing needs of regions.
Renault Group’s focus on autonomous vehicles aligns with the international standards of automated and autonomous driving, with efforts concentrated on achieving L2 or L2+ automation for individual vehicles. The complexity gap between L2 automation and L3 autonomy presents challenges in terms of technology costs and customer demand. For public transportation, the company sees autonomous miniBuses as a relevant and necessary solution, especially in cities transitioning to low emission zones while ensuring mobility for residents.
The collaboration with WeRide signifies Renault Group’s advancement in autonomous vehicles, particularly in offering vehicles with an L4 level of autonomy for large-scale commercial deployment. WeRide, a global expert in autonomous driving, has established itself as a benchmark in the field with a robust fleet of autonomous vehicles in service globally. The partnership aims to provide autonomous, low-carbon miniBuses to cater to the evolving needs of regions well before the end of the decade.
As a premium partner of the Roland-Garros tennis tournament, Renault is introducing electric and autonomous shuttles in collaboration with WeRide to facilitate access to the stadium and showcase the maturity of automated public transport technologies. This experimental service will run during the tournament, offering rides from the P2 car park to the stadium and back, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of autonomous shuttles for enhancing mobility and reducing emissions in urban environments.
In conclusion, Renault Group’s autonomous vehicle strategy focuses on offering advanced driver assistance for individual vehicles and autonomous solutions for public transportation. The company’s partnerships with WeRide and ongoing trials reflect its commitment to sustainable and innovative mobility solutions. By leveraging autonomous technology and collaborating with industry experts, Renault aims to provide accessible and effective autonomous vehicles to meet the evolving needs of cities and regions for low-carbon transportation options.
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