To create the “Software Republic”, Thales, STMicroelectronics, Dassault Systèmes, Groupe Renault and Atos announced on April 9, 2021, the formalization of their collaboration. This is a new ecosystem aimed at innovation in intelligent and sustainable mobility and likely to welcome new members in order to develop open collaborations.

This open innovation ecosystem founded by five automotive and technology players will contribute to the improvement of products and services related to artificial intelligence, connectivity, digital twins and embedded electronics. Elie Girard, CEO of Atos mentions these areas while referring to this partnership:

“Atos is proud to be a founding member of the Software Republic. As a creator of technologies 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 such as artificial intelligence, digital security, cloud, IoT or high performance computing. Combining the strengths of five of the world’s largest automotive and technology players, this initiative promises to accelerate the decarbonization of mobility.”

The five players have defined three main areas of cooperation in order to jointly develop and commercialize smart mobility systems to implement a suitable and agile mobility offer:

• Intelligent systems to facilitate secure connectivity between the vehicle and its digital and physical environment.
• Simulation and data management systems to optimize flows for territories and businesses.
• Energy ecosystem to simplify the charging experience.

In line with these three areas, two topics are mentioned by the “Software Republic” partners: the first is the optimization of mobility flows for territories in order to facilitate access and simulation of mobility information exchanges at different scales for consumers, operators, public authorities and urban planners. The second is Plug and Charge, which aims to develop new technologies and services for electric cars, such as automatic recognition and charging without the need for user intervention. Bernard Charlès, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Dassault Systèmes, wants to show that the project is not only linked to the world of transport and the automobile:

“Far beyond the automotive sector, it is about thinking about usage – mobility offering a work and leisure environment that fits into a sustainable economy. This experience economy goes hand in hand with a renaissance of the industry worldwide: the new mobility economy will be organized in a collaborative mode in new value networks around digital platforms. The Software Republic is thus a multi-industry and multidisciplinary ecosystem that wants to accelerate innovation and grow the driving forces of tomorrow. To achieve this, it will rely on the collaborative virtual environment provided by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and on digital experience twins. It will also benefit from the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab start-up accelerator.”

The creation of this ecosystem is induced by the new opportunities offered by the transformation of mobility: electric vehicles, new components, new after-sales services etc. Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thalès wants to contribute to this project:

“The Software Republic provides a joint and disruptive impetus, which is essential for the mobility ecosystem. Thales, drawing on proven experience in digital security in highly demanding markets (such as transport, banking, defence or aerospace), will share its expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and connectivity, to strengthen the protection of vehicles, their data and that of mobility players.”

Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault Group highlights all the collective stakes existing behind this partnership:

“In the new mobility value chain, in-vehicle intelligence systems are the new engine, where all the research and investment is now focused. Faced with this technological challenge, we are choosing to play a collective and open game. There will be no center of gravity, the value of each will be multiplied by the others. The combined expertise in cybersecurity, microelectronics, energy and data management will enable us to develop unique, cutting-edge solutions for low-carbon, shared, responsible mobility, made in Europe.”

Jean-Marc Chéry, Chairman and CEO of STMicroelectronics joins Luca de Meo in “the partnership approach”:

“STMicroelectronics joins the Software Republic to bring its innovations in semiconductor products and solutions dedicated to the electrification and digitalization of vehicles and mobility services. Our expertise is at the heart of the ongoing transformation towards efficient solutions that meet collective expectations in terms of environmental impact. The partnership approach at the heart of this project will also strengthen links within the value chain in all its dimensions, an essential aspect during this phase of industry transformation.”

The “Software Republic” will eventually want to invest in start-ups to foster innovation. It will seek to create an investment fund to finance the most promising start-ups, but also to create an incubator to host start-ups specializing in the field of technologies for intelligent mobility. Through this, these start-ups will have access to mentoring by a valuable network and also to a collaborative virtual environment for development and experimentation.

Translated from Cinq acteurs du monde de l’automobile et des technologies s’associent pour créer la “Software république”