Renault Joins Autonomous Shuttle Teams in Paris

Renault Group has joined forces with WeRide to showcase its first autonomous shuttle in real-world conditions. This exciting demonstration will feature Renault's autonomous shuttle equipped with WeRide's cutting-edge self-driving technology at the Roland-Garros 2024 Paris Open tennis tournament scheduled for the end of this month.

The collaboration between Renault and WeRide marks a significant milestone in the advancement of autonomous transportation. While Renault is not currently focusing on self-driving cars for its consumer brands, the company is actively exploring the potential of autonomous solutions for public transportation.

"Renault Group is making strides in implementing its autonomous vehicle strategy. Through our ongoing experiments and partnerships with industry leaders, we aim to offer a comprehensive range of autonomous, low-carbon miniBuses to address the evolving transportation needs of different regions well before the end of this decade," stated Gilles Le Borgne, CTO of the Renault Group.

Renault's approach to individual vehicles emphasizes assistance at Level 2 and 2+ rather than full autonomy, with a strong emphasis on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to cater to the top end of the market.

On the other hand, for public transportation, autonomy is deemed essential to effectively meet the increasing demand for low-carbon mobility in various regions. The company is actively developing an electric, robotized miniBus platform that will integrate automation solutions from leading partners such as EasyMile, Milla, and WeRide. This platform will incorporate a range of sensor technologies, central processing units from Lenovo Vehicle Computing, and advanced computing systems from Kalray in Paris.

In Europe, more than 400 major cities are gradually transitioning into low emission zones while ensuring the smooth mobility of their residents. Renault has been conducting trials for several years, including the Mach 2 project involving a fleet of automated electric minibuses integrated into the public transportation network of Chateauroux Metropole in France starting from 2026.

"Innovation is truly meaningful when it is shared, economically accessible, and genuinely beneficial to a wide audience," emphasized the company. "Technological advancements now enable us to offer increasingly effective driver assistance and delegation functions tailored to different vehicle types and usage scenarios."

The transition from Level 2 automation to Level 3 autonomy poses a significant technological challenge as vehicles must operate safely in complex environments with minimal driver supervision. Renault acknowledges that the current cost implications associated with Level 3 autonomy might deter widespread adoption at this stage.

Nevertheless, Renault is ensuring that its vehicle architecture can evolve towards full autonomy if future expectations, regulatory frameworks, or technological costs align to make this transition feasible.

The WeRide autonomous shuttle will operate within a predefined operational domain with remote supervision but without an onboard operator, marking a pivotal advancement in self-driving transportation.

During the Roland-Garros tournament from 26th May to 9th June 2024, the experimental service will run from the P2 car park near Bois-de-Boulogne to the Roland-Garros stadium between 11am and 7pm. Following the matches, the shuttle will transport passengers back to Place de la Porte d'Auteuil or the P2 car park.

WeRide boasts a fleet of over 700 autonomous vehicles, including 300 shuttles, which have collectively covered more than 28 million kilometers across Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

For more information, visit Renault Group's official website.