A group of France's largest automotive, industrial and communications companies has revealed a new concept car with a whole host of new technologies, describing it as "a tangible vision of tomorrow's mobility experience."
Software République - a consortium created by computing firms Dassault Systémes and Atos, electrical systems manufacturer Thales, semiconductor specialist STMicroelectronics, communications company Orange and the Renault Group, was founded in 2021.
The consortium has visions beyond just the car industry, with an ambition of launching 10 new services and products, helping more than 50 start-ups get off the ground and offering its services in more than 50 worldwide markets by 2025.
The concept
The car's name - H1st Vision - stands for 'Human First Vision', though it also bears a Renault badge. Described as "a revolution in mobility", it features 20 operational innovations as part of its vision for the future.
The concept bears a resemblance to the Renault Scenic Vision of last year, particularly in the frontal styling, with an SUV-esque body to keep pace with current trends.
Chief among the Vision's new technologies is its 'biometric access control', which uses the owner's face, name and height, as well as remembering their walking habits to unlock the car - making a more traditional key fob obsolete in the process.
Cameras can recognise the owner approaching from up to six metres away. An avatar will then appear on the car with a greeting, which can then unlock the car, enable the ignition to be activated and adjust the seat to the driver's preference.
The car's interface can store the driver's information in a "digital ID wallet", which can make car sharing and rental easier, according to the consortium.
Interior tech
Localised audio alerts are built into the car's software, which can warn the driver of an approaching emergency services vehicle via two tweeters located in the driver's headrest. The system can also determine which side of the road the vehicle is approaching, and can warn the driver accordingly.
Private phone calls are also possible, thanks to a Kardome system that can isolate sound in the passenger's headrest, giving them "their own personal sound space" that can also play music - for example, the two Jean-Michel Jarre-sampled tracks available in the concept.
In terms of keeping tabs on the driver, the H1st can monitor their heartbeat and breathing - and in the case of a medical emergency can send the driver's health information to an emergency service, and set up a video call with a doctor.
The car can also send real-time information to the driver in case of bad weather conditions or traffic ahead, thanks to live data tracking, which can also take into account cyclists and pedestrians as well as cars ahead.
Power
Fitted with vehicle-to-grid charging, the Vision can power other electric units - including your house, if necessary. It can also communicate with the electricity grid it is connected to, choosing to charge when tariffs are cheaper.
The H1st can be charged with a 'Mobilize PowerBox', which is fitted with a home charging point, with a range of 7, 11 or 22kWh AC charging stations - and can be operated remotely from an app on the driver's phone.