As a result of the Alliance's and Microsoft's joint development efforts, the industry's first and most ambitious industry-wide program for connected vehicles will be deployed with cloud technology, Artificial Intelligence (IA), and IoT technologies provided by Microsoft Azure.
Azure provides the Alliance with a global data platform that captures, manages and safely analyzes vehicle data to provide intelligent services based on the large amount of data created by connected vehicles.
Kal Mos, vice president of Global Alliance Connected Vehicles, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, said: "We are launching a vehicle connectivity platform that will transform the digital experience for Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi customers.
Through our collaboration with Microsoft, we introduce the strongest and largest platform for connected vehicles. Taking advantage of the size and breadth of the Alliance, we have developed a smart cloud platform that sets a new standard for our industry. "
"Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is a long-term partner and our first strategic partner for the Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform," said Jean-Philippe Courtois, EVP and Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations, Microsoft Corp. "The launch of the Intelligent Cloud Alliance brings to market a new generation of connectivity services developed on the Microsoft Azure platform."
The first vehicles produced on "Intelligent Cloud Alliance" will be the new Renault Clio and some Nissan Leaf models sold in Europe and Japan. These are also the first vehicles based on the capabilities of the Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform, available to large-scale customers.
Vehicles that are based on "Intelligent Cloud Alliance" capabilities will have permanent access to the Internet, offering enhanced remote diagnostics, ongoing software deployment, firmware updates and information management in the vehicle through access to infotainment services.
"Intelligent Cloud Alliance" is an extremely scalable platform and will strengthen several solutions for connected vehicles, already traditional, with new and current functions as well as with future ones and commercial operations that will support mobility services. The data-based platform will allow for advanced AI scenarios and analysis and will accelerate the process of marketing new business innovations and initiatives.
Optimized for speed and efficiency, "Intelligent Cloud Alliance" will be connected to vehicles and allow them access to digital functions and other innovations that will appear on multiple models and brands for consumers in different regions of the world. Enhanced connectivity features include remote services, proactive monitoring, connected navigation, connected assistance, over-the-air software updates and other personalized services.
The Alliance addresses in a unique way the business opportunity offered by connected vehicles by owning, operating and designing its own cloud intelligence platform on Microsoft Azure.
"Intelligent Cloud Alliance" can connect Alliance's vehicles with the future infrastructure of smart cities as they develop, and with potential partners. With this new initiative, any third party attempting to connect with all the Alliance's old and future connected vehicles will have one contact point to associate with.
