The Software Republic, a digital alliance around major mobility projects, was born in 2021 at the initiative of Renault as part of its Renaulution strategic plan. The industrial ecosystem based on the principles of open innovation now has a new member.
Originally founded by the Renault group, Atos (now Eviden), Dassault, ST Microelectronics and Thales, Software République was later joined by Orange. It is the turn of JCDecaux, the advertising display specialist, to board this joint vehicle.
Additional expertise for Software République
The principle of Software République consists of associating “leading companies” and “innovative start-ups” with the aim of “giving birth to mobility solutions and systems that will shape the (near) future of mobility.”
JCDecaux will therefore make its contribution to this ambition by drawing on “its expertise in the design and deployment of innovative solutions with communities, local authorities and smart cities”.
For Software République, the multinational advertising company has solid experience in data analysis, mobility and traffic, as well as in advertising technology. These skills are considered “complementary” to the abilities of the founders.
JCDecaux will therefore participate in the development of digital solutions alongside other members. Software République aims above all to be a development center intended to design concrete tools.
10 operational projects in 3 years
Since its creation, the alliance has finalized “10 operational projects”. These include “Detect and Respond,” an automotive cybersecurity application that uses AI to detect and defend against cyber threats.
The partners also developed Mobilize PowerBox, a secure, bi-directional charging station. Launched industrially, it should soon be marketed in the Renault network, thanks to the collaboration of major players.
“From the energy transition to the digital revolution, today’s major challenges go beyond the boundaries between traditional sectors,” underlines Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault Group. And for the manager, the arrival of JCDecaux translates “ the attractiveness of the Software Republic model.”
For Jean-Charles Decaux, co-CEO of JCDecaux, this membership in the Software Republic is a way for the company to “pursue and enrich” its innovation strategy, “both disruptive and incremental”.