The partnership provides Renault and Orange with a real-life testing framework for exploring new connectivity applications on vehicles using high-speed technologies.

Tomorrow’s vehicles will be hyper-connected. Everywhere, where driving circumstances permit, motorists will be able to access their professional and personal digital worlds from their vehicles in complete safety. To prepare for that future, Renault and Orange have joined forces as part of a research project on testing the automotive uses of very-high-speed, 4G/LTE (Long Term Evolution) connectivity.

Under the partnership, Orange has rolled out 4G in advance at Renault’s research and testing facilities. The aim is to enable both partners’ teams to test in real-life situations the uses enabled by very-high-speed mobile technology, ranging from virtual office and cloud gaming to video conferencing. An initial test is underway on the NEXT TWO prototype based on Renault ZOE and to be presented on the Renault stand at the upcoming Le Web’13 conference. 

Commenting, Rémi Bastien, Head of Engineering Innovation at Renault, said:

“This partnership is an example of an effective working relationship between two very different worlds. We were able to benefit ahead of time from a high-speed LTE network and from Orange’s expertise, with an opportunity to take advantage of the network for our prototype of the connected vehicle of the future.”

Nathalie Leboucher, Head of the Smart Cities Program at Orange, said:

“We are delighted to provide Renault with the unrivalled performance of our 4G network and thereby contribute to the development of new web-mobility uses and services for the vehicles of the future. Connected cars make travelling more efficient through communicating services and stand as a major development priority in Orange’s strategy”.

Connected vehicles are already a reality. With R-Link, Renault brings its customers an integrated and connected touch tablet rated by the SBD firm as Europe’s user-friendliest multimedia system. R-Link, available on most Renault range models, already features nearly 100 apps. Connectivity-wise, the R-Link system relies on the know-how of Orange Business Services, which supplies all the SIM M2M cards used on board equipped Renault cars.