Autonomy. The SYMBIOZ demo car is capable of reaching SAE Level 4 autonomy (“mind-off”). Level 4 frees the driver from all dynamic driving tasks when the car’s automated driving system is switched on. The driver does not need to concentrate on the road ahead in case he or she needs to resume control; the car is capable of moving into a safe position if it cannot deal with an unexpected incident ahead.

On authorized highways or dual roads with a median strip, a Level 4 autonomous car such as the SYMBIOZ demo car can adjust the vehicle’s speed in accordance with the car in front, stay in its lane even when cornering, change lanes (i.e. to overtake another car or exit the highway) and function alone in traffic jams.

Level 4 driving automation is currently not permitted under French road rules. However, France’s road authorities (and similar organizations in other countries) allow trials to take place if someone is traveling in the car and can supervise the autonomous drive mode. This person needs to be able to take back control of the vehicle at any time. The SYMBIOZ demo car road tests will be conducted under these conditions.

Powertrain. The SYMBIOZ demo car features a dual-motor rear-wheel drive system. The two electric motors powering the SYMBIOZ demo car are located on the rear axle, with each motor driving one wheel. The car is equipped with Renault’s 4CONTROL all-wheel steering system, which enables the rear wheels to assist in steering by means of an electromagnetic actuator integrated on the rear axle.

The SYMBIOZ demo car delivers maximum power of 500 kW and 660 N·m peak torque (360 kW and 550 N·m continuous). The car accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 6 seconds. The 700V power supply enables a greater ramp-up in power.

The SYMBIOZ demo car is equipped with a 72 kWh battery pack. The vehicle architecture can accommodate batteries with a capacity of up to 100 kWh. The car’s batteries are charged via a cable plugged into a fast-charging point with a continuous current power supply.

During the road tests, the SYMBIOZ demo car will be charged at a charging point reaching 150 kW at certain times. The batteries can then be charged to 80% of their capacity in less than half an hour.

Three driving modes. Via the Renault MULTI-SENSE 3.0 system, an upgraded version of the current MULTI-SENSE system, the SYMBIOZ demo car features three driving modes:

• The Classic mode is the standard mode. Occupants are at one with the car and feel at home. The driving position is conventional and the car’s settings are focused on comfort.

• The Dynamic mode boosts driving sensations. Driving is more active and the driver’s seat features additional lateral support for a bucket seat feel. The motor response, steering and chassis settings are all geared towards a dynamic driving style.

• he AD mode optimizes the space available in front of the driver to permit a variety of hands-off activities. When the AD mode is switched on, the steering wheel and dashboard— which comes with a unique L-shaped display developed by LG—automatically move back 12 centimeters.

The driving mode is selected by pushing the Renault logo, which is lit up like a hologram in the middle of the steering wheel.

In AD mode the driver can choose from three layouts adapted to different free-time moods and desires.

• The Alone@Home layout frees up space by retracting the steering wheel and dashboard and taking advantage of the extra legroom provided by the vehicle platform, which has been optimized for autonomous driving and to house the electric motor (no centre console or transmission tunnel).

• The Relax layout enables the driver to sit back and cruise with their seat in ‘zero gravity’ position. The driver can also be at the heart of a virtual reality of a few minutes, developed by Ubisoft.

• The Lounge layout lets the driver move closer to the person in the front passenger seat. The front armrests lower automatically and the seats turn 10 degrees towards each other to facilitate conversations between the driver and front-seat passenger.

Connected. The SYMBIOZ demo car’s onboard connectivity system allows the driver and passengers to access their digital lives and indulge in a wide range of services. In harmony with personal smartphones, the users’ link to their media and data is never cut.

• Occupants are identified by their smartphone regardless of where they are sitting. The smartphone interacts with the car’s human-machine interface (HMI) to determine personal seat settings, air- conditioning settings and music preferences, among other functions.

• With the SYMBIOZ’ full suite of connectivity features (GPS, 4G, Wi-Fi), occupants can access their digital environment, media and services just like at home or in the office.

• The L-shaped dashboard display, which is the car’s primary HMI, lets users interact remotely with the outside world, including road infrastructures or the home. Users can check what happens within their house thanks to a 360-degree camera view on the screen of the dashboard. They can also adjust the heating settings or access refrigerators and other domestic appliances.

The SYMBIOZ demo car is connected to road infrastructure from Sanef’s network. Sanef is a subsidiary of the Albertis group, the world’s leading highway operator and one of Renault’s partners on this project. This vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) trial uses communication protocols defined under the EU’s SCOOP project. Some examples of public-private partnership opportunities:

• Driving will be safer and more relaxing because the car can be warned in advance of any hazards up ahead, including roadworks, accidents, poor weather and congestion. This means the car is able to ‘see’ further than its own sensors.

• This V2X connectivity notifies the SYMBIOZ demo car of which toll lanes operate as electronic toll collection (ETC) lanes so it can pass through tollgates in autonomous drive mode on approved highways like A13 during the test-drive.

• The connection with road infrastructure also brings new types of data to the occupants of the car. Information about nearby tourist attractions is displayed on the L-Shape screen of the dashboard.

Development. The SYMBIOZ demo car was developed simultaneously alongside the SYMBIOZ concept car at the ‘Garage’, a dedicated collaborative workspace at the Technocentre in Guyancourt, France. This project comprised cross-functional teams from engineering and design. It also included extended teams bringing partner technology and creative industry leaders together in an ‘open innovation’ approach.

The six core partners involved alongside Renault’s teams in the development of SYMBIOZ demo car provided input in their specific areas of expertise:

• LG has been involved in the development of the human-machine interfaces.

• Ubisoft has provided onboard virtual reality experience for autonomous driving mode.

• Devialet has developed a new user experience through an advanced sound system.

• Sanef has worked on the way the car communicates with road network infrastructure.

• TomTom has contributed with its geo-positioning expertise.

• IAV has provided autonomous driving engineering expertise.

The chassis was developed on a test mule named Road Runner, which was one of the three test mules used for the prototype. Since the vehicle platform was conceived from the outset to accommodate an electric drivetrain, the position of the motors and batteries was optimized in order to deliver a maximum cabin space with no transmission tunnel. The rear-wheel drive system also enabled the front seats to be brought forward.

Alongside some interior and exterior styling elements, the technologies featured in the SYMBIOZ demo vehicle are an example of what could also appear in the Renault range over the next few months and years.

Autonomous drive features will be progressively deployed in Renault’s range under the name Renault EASY DRIVE. The first model to come out in 2019 will offer Level 2 driving automation with assisted eyes-on driving on motorways and in peri-urban areas. Cars with Level 4 mind-off driving automation will appear starting in 2022, pending government regulatory approvals.

Some examples of connected services and new-generation motoring will be rolled out cross the range under the name Renault EASY CONNECT and in conjunction with the new MY Renault smartphone app.

On 6 October, Groupe Renault announced Drive The Future, its new 6-year plan aligned with its vision of sustainable mobility for all, today and tomorrow. By 2022, Groupe Renault will offer 8 purely electric vehicles and 12 electrified models; 15 AD models benefiting from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi scale effect and technologies; and 100% connected vehicles in key markets.