French five in e-mobility software and data alliance
Five European multinationals have joined forces to create a French intelligent mobility and data alliance.
The Software République will see chip maker STMicroelectronics working with supercomputer supplier Atos, design tool and digital twin developer Dassault Systèmes, car maker Groupe Renault and engineering giant Thales.
Pooling their expertise, the five plan to develop and market together systems and software to provide an enriched and sustainable mobility offer for cities, regions, businesses and citizens. This is part addresses the challenge of the Bosch software business restructuring in Germany but is also aiming to challenge US and Chinese projects.
The Software République will focus on Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, connectivity, embedded electronics, and virtual twin technology in an open ecosystem.
“STMicroelectronics has joined the Software République to bring its innovative semiconductor products and solutions for electrification and digitalization of vehicles and mobility services,” said Jean-Marc Chery, President and CEO of STMicroelectronics. “Our know-how is an enabler of the ongoing transformation towards more efficient solutions, in line with the expectation of stakeholders in terms of environmental impact. The partnership at the heart of this project will also help strengthen the links across the entire value chain, a key aspect during this phase of the transformation of this industry.”
According to the Boston Consulting Group, the global mobility market will grow by 60% by 2035 to reach E11 trillion, driven by electric vehicles, new components, new after-sales services and other value-added services whose share will increase from 5% to 45% of the global mobility market.
Next: A matter of sovereignity for Europe
The République members point to major industrial players on other continents have received state support and are already positioning themselves to develop many of these new technologies through enhanced integration strategies. The five called on France and Europe to collectively build a sustainable ecosystem that aims to ensure sovereignty in this field.
“Far beyond the automotive sector, this is a question of thinking in terms of use – mobility offering a work and leisure environment that is part of a sustainable economy,” said Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Systèmes. “This experience economy goes hand in hand with an Industry Renaissance worldwide: the new mobility economy will be organised into new, collaborative value networks based on digital platforms. The Software République is thus a multi-industry and multidisciplinary ecosystem that aims to accelerate innovation and grow the driving forces of tomorrow. To achieve this, it will rely on the collaborative virtual environment provided by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and on virtual twin experiences. It will also benefit from the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab start-up accelerator.
Three main areas of cooperation will over the joint development and marketing of intelligent mobility systems with a focus on secure connectivity, simulation and data management systems and an energy ecosystem to simplify the charging experience.
This will cover a Plug and Charge project for the development of new technologies and services to allow an electric car, connected to a compatible charging point, to be automatically recognized, and to perform a charge without any action by the user.
A project on optimizing mobility flows for territories will provide access to, and simulation of, mobility information exchanges, instantaneously and openly across cities and regions. This would allow public authorities to simulate and implement mobility scenarios, such as emergency management, events, etc and allow urban planners to better anticipate land use planning. This fits with the EU’s global digital twin plans.
The five are also looking to create an investment fund to finance the most promising start-ups and an incubator to host start-ups in the field of smart mobility technologies. Linking to the collaboration would give these startups access to a collaborative virtual development and experimentation environment and mentoring through a value network.
For the launch of the ecosystem for start-ups and universities, the partners of the Software République plan to organize a data challenge to contribute to the development of the technologies for the mobility of tomorrow: electric, connected and autonomous.
“Atos is proud to be one of the founding members of the Software République. As a technology creator and integrator of complex solutions, we will make available to this unique ecosystem our digital expertise in reducing the carbon footprint and our innovative technologies in key areas such as artificial intelligence, digital security, cloud, IoT or high-performance computing,” said Elie Girard, Chief Executive Officer at Atos. “Combining the strengths of five of the world’s leading automotive and technology players, this initiative promises to accelerate the decarbonization of mobility.
“In the new mobility value chain, on-board intelligence systems are the new driving force, where all research and investment are now concentrated. Faced with this technological challenge, we are choosing to play collectively and openly,” said Luca de Meo, Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Renault. “There will be no centre of gravity, the value of each will be multiplied by others. The combined expertise in cybersecurity, microelectronics, energy and data management will enable us to develop unique, cutting-edge solutions for low-carbon, shared, and responsible mobility, made in Europe.”
“The Software République brings a joint and disruptive momentum, essential to the mobility ecosystem,” said Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales. “Based on a proven experience in digital security in very demanding markets such as transport, banking, defence or aerospace, Thales will share its expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and connectivity, to strengthen the protection of vehicles, their data and those involved in mobility.
Related articles
- First international digital twin standard
- ST builds digital twin of Crolles fab
- Schneider in digital twin buy
- Atos to build UK’s largest AI supercomputer
- 6G starts in Europe with Hexa-X
Other articles on eeNews
- TSMC calls EU semiconductor boost ‘unrealistic’
- TSMC’s $100bn fab plans to expand capacity
- ARMv9 looks to a decade of AI chips
- European manufacturing plan for sodium battery technology
