Renault-Nissan to Use Microsoft V2X Platform

The Renault-Nissan alliance has inked a multiyear deal with Microsoft Corp. to partner on emerging connected vehicle technologies.

Under the agreement, the companies will work together to develop services for cars powered by Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing system. The platform supports multiple operating systems, programming languages and tools.

The new services will incorporate advanced navigation, predictive maintenance, remote monitoring of car features, external mobile experiences and over-the-air updates. Users will be able to customize settings, transfer them from car to car or to others so they can use the vehicle without transferring physical keys.

Motorists will be able to monitor their vehicles remotely via a mobile phone or laptop. Tracking software also can be used to locate a stolen car and disables it when it is safe to do so. Other potential features include the capability to make automated payments, send diagnostic information to service facilities and update travel times to others.

The new features could be introduced in vehicles as early as 2018, the partners say. Renault-Nissan aims to develop connectivity technologies and features to support the launch of more than 10 vehicles with autonomous driving technology by 2020.