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Renault says that three new electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs) will be the first to feature the flexible, scalable architecture developed by Ampere around the SDV (Software Defined Vehicle).
It says the innovative approach marks the start of a new era in the design, perception and use of LCVs. The models - Trafic, Estafette and Goelette - will be presented on 29 April at the CV Show in Birmingham, UK.
Renault points out that traditionally vehicles are designed around a chassis and an ICE or electric powertrain as an engineering base. Manufacturers would then add on all the electronic features and pre-equipment packs required for the various functions and versions.
However, Renault maintains that approach to vehicle design involved a huge number of ECUs – up to 80 per vehicle – with a limiting effect on performance and the integration of new features.
Instead, implementing an approach similar to the most powerful computers, it says Ampere has based its new SDV approach on a ‘single platform with centralised software architecture and a connected, intelligent operating system to control, analyse and upgrade vehicle functions quickly and reliably’.
High-performance computers act as the vehicle’s brain, processing the data collected by the onboard sensors, and in particular by the driver aids (ADAS), powertrain, chassis control and multimedia/connectivity services. These computers can be upgraded with new functions to modernise the vehicle or extend its service life, using the car operating system or “CAR OS”, designed by Ampere.
Designed and developed by Ampere engineers, the new approach will be made available first to Trafic, Estafette and Goelette users.
Customised for users
Renault says business users will be able to upgrade their vehicle, just as they would their laptop or phone, adding new functions in real time throughout its service life. It also says personalised offers could be made available, reflecting the actual usage and driving habits of each individual.
In this way, the experience could be enhanced for business users, with functions tailored to their activity and requirements:
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Vehicles with specific functions, such as ambulances, fire engines, police vehicles, refrigerated vehicles and other conversions, could include dedicated apps for unique, centralised operation of each component. A similar approach is implemented by openR link with convertor companion, an award-winning innovation available on Renault Master, but with the added intelligence of the SDV;
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Companies using their own operating system, to make deliveries for example, will be able to integrate their OS with the onboard multimedia system in order to send out information in real time (time, route, contacts, remarks, etc.) to delivery drivers on their rounds;
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Fleet users will be able to log in to their profile and access a personalised interface with their preferred vehicle settings and apps.