ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International
  • News
    • A-L
      • ADAS
      • AI & Sensor Fusion
      • Business
      • Connectivity
      • Cybersecurity
      • Expo
      • HMI
      • Last-mile delivery
      • Legislation & Standards
      • Localization/GNSS
    • M-Z
      • Mapping
      • Off-Highway
      • Robo-Taxis
      • Sensors
      • Shared Mobility
      • Safety
      • Simulation
      • Testing
      • Trucks
      • V2X
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • January 2025
    • September 2024
    • April 2024
    • January 2024
    • Subscribe
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Testing
  • Automotive Powertrain
  • Professional Motorsport
  • Tire Technology
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International
  • News
      • ADAS
      • AI & Sensor Fusion
      • Business
      • Connectivity
      • Cybersecurity
      • Expo
      • HMI
      • Last-mile delivery
      • Legislation & Standards
      • Localization/GNSS
      • Mapping
      • Off-Highway
      • Robo-Taxis
      • Sensors
      • Shared Mobility
      • Safety
      • Simulation
      • Testing
      • Trucks
      • V2X
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. April 2025
    2. January 2025
    3. September 2024
    4. April 2024
    5. January 2024
    6. Subscribe
    Featured
    April 15, 2025

    In this Issue – April 2025

    Online Magazines By Web Team
    Recent

    In this Issue – April 2025

    April 15, 2025

    In this Issue – January 2025

    November 29, 2024

    In this Issue – September 2024

    July 23, 2024
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
  • Awards
    • About
    • Shortlist
    • Judges
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International
Shared Mobility

INTERVIEW: Patrick Vergelas, head of autonomous driving projects, Renault Group

Anthony JamesBy Anthony JamesJune 11, 20245 Mins Read
Share
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

AAVI recently caught up with Patrick Vergelas, head of autonomous driving projects at Renault Group, to find out more about his company’s ambitions for the autonomous shuttle/shared mobility market space.

The OEM manufactured the vehicles that provided an L4 driverless minibus shuttle service at the French Open tennis tournament held at Paris’s Stade Roland-Garros on May 26-June 9. The shuttles featured WeRide’s full-stack, self-developed autonomous driving software and hardware system, and took about about 12 minutes to travel a 5km route between the stadium and car parking facilities.

The long-term goal of Renault Group and WeRide is to jointly develop localized L4 driverless minibus solutions for public transportation in Europe, with commercial demand for driverless minibuses in Europe expected to reach several thousand units per year.

Please explain Renault’s design approach to autonomous shuttles – how does it differ? 

Renault Group is developing a robotized, pre-equipped electric minibus platform, capable of hosting the various automation solutions of specialized partners, including WeRide, Milla and EasyMile.

The initial presence of a driver’s station and an operator on board is likely to reassure the first users of the service, as well as providing a solution to quickly supply minibuses, and to enable them to be driven from the depot to the line on which they will operate in autonomous mode, if reaching the start of the line is difficult in autonomous mode.

However, our experiments with vehicles without steering wheels and/or driver’s cabs have shown that users quickly get used to the absence of a driver’s cab, and it quickly becomes a non-issue for them.

Developing a vehicle without a cockpit may make sense in terms of “reclaiming” space for onboard users, especially as the targeted level of autonomy requires no operator inside the vehicle.

The vehicle’s onboard capacity has not yet been defined, but different configurations can be imagined according to the needs of local authorities.

What was the exact ODD for the vehicles in operation during the French Open?

The experiment carried out with WeRide during the Roland Garros [French Open] tennis tournament had to take place within a precise framework defined jointly with the French Federation of Tennis (FTT) under an authorization of experimentation delivered by the authority (Direction Générale de l’Énergie et du Climat) with the cities Boulogne-Billancourt and Paris.

The two autonomous shuttles used for the experiment traveled a total distance of almost 5km, on open roads, in the middle of traffic, at a maximum speed of 40km/h. Passengers on board had to be seated and wearing seat belts. Children and luggage were not allowed. There is no driver, but a remote supervisor is on board, which is part of the targeted business model, as well as a safety operator – just in case for this first experimentation.

The experiment ran with passengers from May 26 to June 9 , between 11.00am and 7:00pm.

As an OEM, where do you see the current challenges in manufacturing such vehicles?

The biggest challenge – and probably mistake – would be to try to do everything on your own, ignoring the expertise of specialized players, such as WeRide or EasyMile for example, who can better lead on autonomous technology and service operations, drawing on a supervision center with millions of kilometres of testing and operations.

At Renault Group, we are experts in vehicle development and manufacturing, electric vehicles, and adaptation to B2C, B2B and B2G customers’ needs, including small series and transformations.

The alliance of our respective areas of expertise makes sense in proposing a highly relevant range of autonomous, low-carbon minibus and shuttles to meet the growing needs of local public transport authorities.

Before 2030, the group is aiming to scale up commercial deployment of L4 autonomous vehicles for road public transports. To this end, Renault Group is developing a robotized, pre-equipped electric minibus platform, capable of hosting the various automation solutions of specialized partners (WeRide, Milla, EasyMile). Durability and cybersecurity are under study to provide a relevant solution.

What are the key criteria for operators and purchasers of these vehicles?

Public transport authorities and mass transit operators need reliable, flexible, electric, driverless solutions that are available when they need them. The autonomous minibus and shuttle meets this need and has the potential to operate 24/7, while answering the lack of drivers and helping to electrify bus fleets.

This solution allows a densification of the territorial network at controlled costs, compared to other existing, guided modes (train, tramway, bus). It can bring better efficiency in terms of total costs (investment and operation) and CO2 per passenger/km.

It is also a means of transport in line with the demanding context of ecological and digital transition – providing innovative electric vehicles with low noise levels and a reduced carbon footprint.

For clients, it can be a mobility offer available 24/7, easily accessible for those who want to reduce the use of their private car and for all those who don’t own one or no longer drive (senior citizens, young people without a license, etc).

What do you think is the market value/size for such vehicles?

The market is promising. It is estimated at several thousand vehicles a year by 2035. We do intend to be a major player in this sector, starting with Europe. In terms of value, the vehicle platform and the definition of the right vehicle is estimated at 70% of the price of the vehicle sold; and the technology at 30%.

 

 

 

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleIteris and Telenav partner to improve traffic and travel information
Next Article SHOW REVIEW: ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo Europe 2024

Related Posts

Shared Mobility

WeRide launches paid commercial Level 4 robobus service in central Guangzhou

May 7, 20252 Mins Read
Safety

Waymo Driver is “reducing crashes and making streets safer for vulnerable road users”

May 2, 20253 Mins Read
Shared Mobility

Volkswagen and Uber to deploy autonomous vehicles across the USA

April 25, 20252 Mins Read
Latest News

Elektrobit and Metoak partner on SDV safety ecosystem development

May 12, 2025

Hyundai Motor and Plus unveil autonomous hydrogen freight ecosystem concept

May 12, 2025

EXPO NEWS: Opens next week!

May 12, 2025
FREE WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletters
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
RELATED UKI TOPICS
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Testing
  • Automotive Powertrain
  • Professional Motorsport
  • Tire Technology
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice & Takedown Policy
  • Site FAQs

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT