OTS - Automotive C-V2X ready to roll out globally, says 5GAA at this year's MWC Barcelona (part 1)
2019. February 27. 15:47
Barcelona, 27 February, 2019 (APA/OTS) - During today's well
attended keynote, 'Connecting the Mobility World with 5G', the 5G
Automotive Association (5GAA) gathered experts from the automotive,
technology and telecom industries to explain how the deployment of
'Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything' (C-V2X) communication technology
on the path to 5G is shaping the mobility of the future. Today
LTE-V2X, the initial version of C-V2X, stands on the verge of its
commercial launch: allowing vehicles to communicate with each other
and their surroundings and, together with 5G enhancements,
facilitating broad scale improvements in road safety.
- Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) -
"By bringing together key actors of the mobility ecosystem -
across the automotive, information and communications technology
industries - 5GAA continuously strives to develop forward-looking
solutions for intelligent transportation services. Both for today
and tomorrow." stressed Thierry Klein, 5GAA Vice Chair and Head of
the Disruptive Innovation Program at Nokia Bell Labs. "These
end-to-end integrated solutions bring enhanced safety,
sustainability, and convenience to all road users. 5GAA is very
excited to be pioneering the revolution towards a smarter and more
connected mobility world," Thierry Klein added.
C-V2X communication is the state-of-the-art, high-speed
cellular communications platform that enables vehicles to
communicate with one another, with roadside infrastructure, with
other road users (such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists)
using either direct short-range communications or cellular
networks. While C-V2X network-based solutions are already widely
deployed, direct communication solutions will be commercially
available as of this year. As such the C-V2X platform delivers
safety, mobility, traffic efficiency, and environmental benefits.
C-V2X is designed with an evolutionary path to 5G and supports safe
and efficient operations of autonomous vehicles.
5GAA members spearheading C-V2X
A number of 5GAA members are announcing ground breaking use
cases at this year' MWC. 5GAA members Telefónica, Ericsson, Ficosa
and Seat show 5G connected car use cases supported by C-V2X direct
communication for safer driving in a city (e.g. detection of
cyclists when turning right or of a pedestrian at a zebra
crossing). Another key technology bringing these use cases to life
is edge computing.
In addition, 5GAA members Continental and Vodafone are working
together to increase road safety and protect all road users for
instance via "digital safety-shield" for cyclists and pedestrians,
using C-V2X direct communication and edge computing in the first 5G
deployments. The 5G-ready tests are taking place under real-life
conditions at Vodafone's 5G Mobility Lab in Aldenhoven, Germany.
Rohde & Schwarz has announced a collaboration with automotive
electronics specialist Vector on a C-V2X end-to-end application
layer test solution to verify safety-critical V2X scenarios. The
companies' integrated test platform is showcased for the first time
at Mobile World Congress.
Deutsche Telekom has announced first C-V2X tests together with
Skoda Auto in Czech as part of the European C-Roads project.
Geely also announced its plans to launch the first
mass-produced C-V2X enabled vehicles in China together with
Qualcomm in 2021.
Qualcomm has also announced its first 5G automotive platform,
enabling both C-V2X short and long-range modes, which is expected
to sample later this year and are planned for production vehicles
in 2021.
C-V2X direct communication goes commercial in 2019
Mass production of C-V2X chips including direct communication
from several suppliers is ongoing, and multiple radio vendors have
already integrated these chips into their automotive radio
offerings. 2019 is the year when C-V2X direct communication
technology will be commercially available across the globe.
Furthermore, full interoperability testing on C-V2X applications is
ongoing among 5GAA members. The first mass-deployment in vehicles
on the roads is anticipated to start in China in 2020; to be
followed swiftly in other regions when local regulations allow for
it.
"C-V2X is now ready to roll. At Ford, we will begin to deploy
this technology in all new models launching in the US starting in
2022" confirmed Don Butler, Executive Director of Connected Vehicle
& Services at Ford Motor Co.
The next milestone: 5G New Radio
C-V2X provides a clear evolution path to the family of 5G
technologies for both direct and network communication. Part of
this evolution is the 5G New Radio (NR).
NR-V2X will eventually ensure safe operation of autonomous
driving vehicles by using 5G New Radio with Ultra Reliable Low
Latency Communications (URLLC) network based communication combined
with improved direct short range communications.
"The development of the NR-V2X standard is due for completion
by the end of 2019; eventually hitting the road in 2023. This will
enable a new generation of use cases for connected automated
vehicles", said Maxime Flament, CTO at 5GAA.(continues)