BrazilFrench giants launch open ecosystem for intelligent mobility
Atos has joined Dassault Systèmes, Groupe Renault, STMicroelectronics and Thales to form ‘Software République’ – a mobility innovation ecosystem aimed at ushering in the new era of “electric, connected and autonomous” technology.
The backdrop is a global shift towards more sustainable and connected forms of mobility, and the race for leadership in this space among major global players. A super league of innovators: Software République hopes to prepare Europe to hold its ground in this rapidly evolving arena.
The plan is to collaboratively develop new mobility systems through the continent, using a free exchange of knowledge; infrastructure development; and experimentation with advanced tech such as artificial intelligence, embedded electronics and digital twins – among several others.
“Combining the strengths of five of the world’s leading automotive and technology players, this initiative promises to accelerate the decarbonisation of mobility,” noted Atos CEO Elie Girard. Each founding member brings unique value, and the group is open to new entrants that will advance the innovation agenda.
“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 uch as artificial intelligence, digital security, cloud, internet of things or high-performance computing” said Girard, who’s firm recently added Paris-based consultancy EcoAct to its long list of acquisitions.
Dassault Systèmes will provide digital twins expertise for the project; Groupe Renault joins as mobility expert; STMicroelectronics is a semiconductor manufacturer; and Thales is a specialist in advanced technology spanning connectivity, big data, cyber security and quantum computing.
Focus areas
Software République has three main items on the agenda: intelligent infrastructure to facilitate autonomous and connected mobility; optimised data flows for transport management; and energy infrastructure to enable convenient charging.
Concrete examples include ‘Plug and Charge’ – a concept where electric vehicles recharge automatically on the go, without intervention from the driver; and a mobility flows model – where information is exchanged among multiple mobility stakeholders in real time to facilitate better planning for consumers, efficiency for operators, more oversight for authorities and a better overview for urban planners.
This is the vision, and the implementation will partly be driven by fostering innovation. A Software République investment fund is on the cards, complete with an incubator to harness startups that contribute to data-driven “electric, connected and autonomous” technology per a statement. A data challenge will also feature, aimed at getting young entrepreneurs and university students involved.
According to founding members, collaboration is the only way forward for the mobility ecosystem. “We are choosing to play collectively and openly. There will be no centre of gravity, the value of each will be multiplied by others,” said Luca de Meo, CEO at Renault. Dassault Systèmes CEO Bernard Charlès added: “The new mobility economy will be organised into new, collaborative value networks based on digital platforms.”
