At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last week, the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) announced that ‘Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything’ (C-V2X) communication technology was about to see its first commercial standard: LTE-V2X. In effect the 4G version of C-V2X, the initial version allows vehicles to communicate with each other and their surroundings. Together with 5G enhancements, it will facilitate broad scale improvements in road safety.
“These end-to-end integrated solutions bring enhanced safety, sustainability, and convenience to all road users,” said Thierry Klein, 5GAA vice chair and Head of the Disruptive Innovation Program at Nokia Bell Labs. “5GAA is very excited to be pioneering the revolution towards a smarter and more connected mobility world.”
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.
Click here to read about 5GAA members spearheading C-V2X.
A number of 5GAA members announced ground breaking use cases at this year’s MWC. 5GAA members Telefónica, Ericsson, Ficosa and Seat showed 5G connected car use cases supported by C-V2X direct communication for safer driving in a city, like 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 road users via a “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 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 was showcased for the first time at Mobile World Congress.
Deutsche Telekom announced itsfirst C-V2X tests together with Skoda Auto in Czech as part of the European C-Roads project.
Geely announced its plans to launch the first mass-produced C-V2X enabled vehicles in China together with Qualcomm in 2021.
Qualcomm 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.
Click here to read about C-V2X going 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 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.