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Volkswagen brings V2X to mass production in 2019

Volkswagen brings V2X to mass production in 2019

Business news |
By Christoph Hammerschmidt



The technology used by Volkswagen is based on the IEEE 802.11p (pWLAN) standard, which the automotive industry has standardised and tested for direct, non-proprietary inter-vehicle communication as well as between vehicles and transport infrastructure and in international markets.

Using this technology, specially developed and validated for the requirements of automotive applications, it is possible to share information about the current traffic situation, warnings or even sensor data with the local environment within a few milliseconds. This extends the vehicle’s coverage by several hundred metres, virtually making it possible to “look around the corner.” Thanks to the localised nature of data exchanged and the direct communication with no mobile radio network involved, no data is stored centrally, meaning that there are no ongoing communications costs and it does not rely on mobile phone network coverage.

The strategy Volkswagen is pursuing is to include pWLAN technology in the basic specifications of its models as standard, in addition to mobile phone connectivity. “We want to increase road safety with the aid of networked vehicles, and the most efficient way of achieving this is through the rapid roll-out of a common technology”, explains Johannes Neft, Head of Vehicle Body Development for the Volkswagen brand: “What matters most is that the technology is used consistently, and by as many manufacturers and partners as possible.”

The system will be based on warnings and information on local traffic risks that arise at short notice.
Within the limits of the system, the technology is capable of identifying potential traffic hazards. Examples would include a car making an emergency stop or the on-board sensors detecting black ice. Within a few milliseconds, this information can be shared with the local environment, allowing other road users to react to this risky situation appropriately.

As the effectiveness increases with the number of users, Volkswagen is cooperating with authorities, ministries of transport and other automobile and transport industry partners, working on projects to accelerate the spread of the technology through to its inclusion in serial production.

Once police forces and emergency services are also equipped with V2X technology, it will be possible for drivers to receive advance information on how far away approaching emergency vehicles are and the direction they are travelling in – often long before the vehicle can be heard or seen.

In addition to this, transport infrastructure operators in Germany, the Netherlands and Austria have announced plans to equip trailers used to block off roadworks with V2X technology, in order to reduce the risks of rear-end collisions in the area of roadworks on motorways.

In its push towards automated and cooperative driving, Volkswagen is working on enabling other transport infrastructure components (e.g. traffic lights) and other road users to be integrated in future, in order to improve road traffic safety with the aid of V2X technology.

Related articles:

Continental, NTT Docomo bring 5G to V2X and infotainment

Bike-to-x communications protect motorcycle riders

Cellular V2X set to challenge IEEE 802.11p/DSRC standard

Platooning project highlights V2X maturity

 

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