LG Electronics said on Monday it will supply an integrated cockpit solution for Renault Group's New Traffic E-Tech Electric, Europe's first commercial software-defined vehicle (SDV).

A cockpit refers to the instrument cluster and central information display area around the driver's seat. Conventional vehicles operate dozens of electronic control units (ECUs), small computers that control vehicle components separately for functions such as the cockpit, driver assistance and powertrain.

An SDV, by contrast, uses a high-performance computer and a centralized software architecture to control these functions in one place. Wireless software updates also allow AI-based advanced functions to be added continuously after a vehicle is shipped. The new solution was developed to fit that architecture.

The instrument cluster system displays driving information such as speed, revolutions per minute (RPM) and warning lights, while the infotainment system handles navigation and media playback. The company said information previously shown separately is unified under a single UX and UI, improving visibility. That allows automakers to simplify components and streamline design, lowering production costs.

LG Electronics has applied manufacturing and UX and UI capabilities built in its TV, home appliance and mobile businesses to vehicle instrument clusters and infotainment. It said experience being recognized as a supplier in each area led to the integrated cockpit development. Renault Group selected the company as an outstanding supplier in 2014, 2017 and 2020, and the two jointly developed an Android-based in-vehicle infotainment system in 2021.

LG Electronics plans to expand cooperation beyond Renault Group to major global automakers in North America and Asia. It aims to strengthen its position as a supplier in the rapidly growing SDV components market.

Eun Seok-hyun (은석현), head of LG Electronics' VS Business Division and president, said, "Based on close cooperation with global automakers including Renault Group, we will continue to advance key technologies and solutions needed for the mobility industry to transition to SDVs."