Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. CES
January 07, 2022 02:36 AM

Renault aims to cut digital development time with Qualcomm deal

Chip developer will supply Digital Chassis cloud platform for new electronic architecture to appear in vehicles starting in 2026

Nick Gibbs
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Renault Megane E Tech interior screens 2021

    The Renault Megane E-Tech Electric uses Qualcomm's Digital Cockpit to power a new infotainment interface. The companies are expanding their partnership to the entire digital chassis.

    Renault says it will be able to sharply reduce development time for connected services when it moves to a new electronic architecture powered by Qualcomm that will start to appear in its cars in early 2026.

    The two companies announced an R&D partnership in an online news conference on Wednesday to coincide with the scaled-back Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

    Renault and Qualcomm are already working together in several areas. The new Renault Megane E-Tech Electric compact hatchback uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon Digital Cockpit Platform for its new infotainment interface.

    Under the agreement, Renault will integrate Qualcomm's Snapdragon Digital Chassis bundle into a new software architecture that runs off two high-performance computer chips powering technologies such as 5G connectivity, digital cockpit, over the air updates and Level 2+ driver assistance.

    Qualcomm describes its Digital Chassis as "a set of open and scalable cloud-enabled platforms for automotive telematics and connectivity," similar to scalable "skateboard" electric vehicle chassis that can be used for multiple models.

    The switch to the new digital architecture will enable Renault to speed up development time for digital services that can generate new revenue streams, Thierry Cammal, the head of Renault Group's Software Factory told journalists in an online call.

    Going straight to Tier 2 semiconductor suppliers such Qualcomm will cut 12 to 18 months from the development time of the architecture, Cammal said.

    Developing services in the cloud will take "three to six months max" Cammal said, compared to around three years currently for cars with multiple ECUs, many of which lack the ability to be upgraded over the air.

    The investment will be returned in the form of higher residuals and revenue from the services, Renault said. 

    "The reason why we are changing this architecture is to extract as much data as possible from all parts of the car in order to provide upgradeability and to increase the residual value of the car," Cammal said. He added that revenue from services is going to increase "drastically" in the coming years.

    Qualcomm's Digital Chassis system is based on the company's fourth-generation chipset. The third-generation version powers the Renault Megane's infotainment system. 

    Volvo this week also announced this week that Qualcomm's third-generation chipset would be used in a new electric SUV to be launched this year, as well as the Polestar 3 full-electric SUV. Volvo says the chips will enable the screens to run software with 2.5 times faster overall system speed, five to 10 times faster graphics rendering, and 2.5 times faster audio digital signal processing.

    Last year Stellantis said it would use the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform to power larger screens in the new Opel Astra and Peugeot 308, following a 2017 agreement.

    Expanding automotive business

    Qualcomm said on Tuesday it had booked $13 billion worth of orders from automotive companies within the next 10 years as part of its strategy to be less reliant on its core business selling smartphone chips. 

    The San Diego, California-based company last year announced it would supply chips to BMW chips for vehicles built on its "Neue Klasse," or New Class, platform, set to begin production from 2025. https://europe.autonews.com/suppliers/bmw-use-qualcomm-chips-self-driving-tech. The BMWs will be fitted with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride Vision System using software from Arriver, which was part of Qualcomm's $4.5 billion purchase of automotive technology supplier Veoneer last year.

    Qualcomm does not build chips itself but instead outsources to big global fabricators such as Taiwan's TSMC and UMC, and South Korea's Samsung. 

    Renault's R&D partnership signals a shift in the traditional supplier relationship with Tier 2 chipmakers, who would normally deal with Tier 1 technology suppliers such as Bosch, Continental or Harman, Enrico Salvatori, the head of Qualcomm Europe, told Automotive News Europe in a phone interview. 

    "The level of innovation that we are introducing in the car is forcing the automaker to go directly to the SoC [system on chip] supplier, so to the technology innovator," he said. 

    The partnership also enables Qualcomm to design its technology to suit future automotive needs. "It's a win-win scenario," Salvatori said. 

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    BMW CEO says market demand, not politics, will guide U.S. EV investment
    Recommended for You
    BMW Zipse
    BMW CEO says market demand, not politics, will guide U.S. EV investment
    Indy Autonomous Challenge racing in Las Vegas
    Robo-racing is bound for Italy
    Zeekr 001
    Geely's EV brand Zeekr aims to double sales in 2023, expand in Europe
    Capgemini Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    Sponsored Content: Capgemini Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us