Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi to launch Google-developed infotainment in 2021

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2 mins read

18 September 2018

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi has announced that it will launch a next-generation infotainment system in 2021, co-developed with tech giant Google.

This system will be shared across all three brands, enabling its cars to take over-the-air updates and run remote diagnostics. The group claims the infotainment system will be one of the most intelligent on the market.

A Google Assistant system will also feature. This is a growing trend across the industry, with Mercedes introducing its MBUX infotainment system and the Volkswagen Group adopting Amazon’s Alexa assistant into its full line-up.

Accompanying the infotainment will be systems operated from an online cloud, timed to coincide with the culmination of the mid-term plan in 2022. The Alliance Intelligent Cloud will make it possible to manage data collected from the brands’ cars and enable drivers to download Android apps onto their car’s infotainment system.

Despite the link with Google and Android, the system will be compatible with other operating systems, most notably Apple’s iOS software.

Last year, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi announced that it would invest £8.9 billion in the development and introduction of electric and autonomous cars, which will be built on one of four platforms shared across the alliance.

Twelve EV models, spread across all three brands, will feature varying levels of autonomous technology as Nissan proliferates its Propilot system, first seen on the all-electric Leaf, as well as the Google-developed infotainment.

One of these EVs is confirmed to be an upcoming Nissan electric SUV, which will join the brand’s line-up as a production version of the IMx concept, first revealed at the 2017 Tokyo motor show. It is aimed at matching the level of success that the Qashqai achieved when it was introduced in 2007.

A similarly sized Mitsubishi electric SUV is also due for launch in this time frame, based on the eX concept of 2016.