The 5G Automotive Association which was founded in 2016 also took part in the C-V2X demo
The 5G Automotive Association, Audi, Ford and Qualcomm Technologies have carried out what they claim to be the world’s first demonstration of cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) direct communications technology operating across vehicles from different manufacturers.
C-V2X is a global solution for V2X communications to support improved automotive safety, automated driving, and traffic efficiency.
The demonstration showcased C-V2X real-time, direct communications on the 5.9 GHz ITS spectrum for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) collision avoidance and improved road safety without any dependency on cellular operator network involvement, credentials or coverage, the partners said.
The involved parties also unveiled initial field test results showing a significant range, reliability and performance advantage of C-V2X direct communications, with more than twice the range and improved reliability compared to 802.11p radio technology.
The demonstration featured Audi and Ford vehicles with C-V2X technology utilizing a C-V2X chipset from Qualcomm Technologies. The showcase exhibited various scenarios of how C-V2X communications is beneficial for road safety. These scenarios included situations with obstructed or no visibility, including left turn assistance and emergency electronic brake light use cases, in which vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications alerted surrounding vehicles when cars were turning left or braking.
Additional use cases included a vulnerable road user (VRU) demonstration showcasing what can be possible with future vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communications. Use cases for vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication were also demonstrated, which highlighted how direct communications can work closely with traffic signal controllers to ensure reduction in carbon emissions and optimization of traffic efficiency in cluttered intersections and dense environments.
“After years of development supported by leading carmakers, technology providers and the automotive ecosystem at large, C-V2X is ready to improve road safety with deployment in production vehicles and road infrastructure as soon as 2020, leveraging a state-of-the-art proven radio with decade-long developed automotive software protocols,” said Christoph Voigt, chairman of 5GAA.
“With its ability to safely and securely connect vehicles, along with its evolution into 5G, C-V2X is integral to Ford’s vision for transportation and the cities of the future in which all cars and infrastructure collaborate speaking the same language,” said Don Butler,executive director for connected vehicle platform and product at Ford Motor Company. “We are very encouraged by preliminary test results which support our belief that C-V2X has superior V2X communication capabilities. We are also very pleased to see strong ecosystem support of product roadmaps that accelerates time to market for C-V2X.”
“At Qualcomm Technologies, we are committed to accelerating automotive innovation and enabling carmakers to deliver safe and connected vehicles, and we strongly believe that C-V2X can offer significant improvements in road safety for people worldwide,” said Nakul Duggal, vice president of product management, Qualcomm Technologies.
Created in 2016, 5GAA currently has over 80 members comprised of leading automakers, tier one suppliers, software developers, mobile operators, semiconductor companies, test equipment vendors, telecom suppliers, traffic signal suppliers and road operators.
