AUDI AG, Ericsson, SWARCO Traffic Systems GmbH, the University of Kaiserslautern, and Qualcomm Technologies have announced the first cross-border demonstration for C-V2X direct communication. The collaboration, who originally formed the Connected Vehicle to Everything of Tomorrow (ConVeX) group in 2016 to present the first C-V2X trial based on the third Generation Partnership Project’s (3GPP) Release 14, has participated in cross-border digital testbed Project Day in Schengen, Luxembourg. The event took place at the new trilateral testbed hosted by France’s Ministry for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the Luxembourg Ministry of Mobility & Public Works, and the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy.
ConVeX showcased the performance of C-V2X direct communication among vehicles and infrastructure across three Trans-European borders.
“Digitization and cross-industry collaboration have always been key to shaping the connected and autonomous vehicles of tomorrow,” said Jens Kötz, Head of Electrics, Electronics Networking & Energy Systems at Audi. “As we’ve seen through the latest demonstrations from the ConVeX consortium, the evolution of communication technology in vehicles is developing at a rapid pace, and as the technology continues to evolve towards 5G, we can expect to see major advancements around new solutions focused on safety, comfort and entertainment functionalities.”
Currently, Audi vehicles and SWARCO’s intelligent road infrastructure utilize C-V2X technology on the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X Platform. At the event, they also showcased Qualcomm’s platform in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure safety use cases. This demonstrated the potential of C-V2X technology, and its ability to operate without a SIM subscription, via PC5, that could address challenges with roaming and network subscriptions. This would include Roadworks Warnings, In-Vehicle Information, and Slow or Stationary Vehicle Warnings.
“Bringing superior technologies and products to commercialization in a manner that better connects people across the world has always been a priority for Qualcomm Technologies. This demonstration serves as another proof point that we are on our way to reaching our vision for smart transportation – one which supports an increased safety-consciousness and more efficient driving experience,” said Enrico Salvatori, senior vice president & president Qualcomm EMEA, Qualcomm Europe, Inc. “With a strong evolution path in 3GPP to 5G New Radio (NR), Qualcomm Technologies continues to invest in the C-V2X roadmap to offer new and complementary capabilities. The possibilities are endless, and we’re excited to be a part of it.”
SWARCO provides connected and cooperative traffic management on all channels, and through the ConVex Project, SWARCO provided a C-V2X technology-based communication between real infrastructure components and vehicles on public roads in Europe for the first time. The C-V2X communication, as part of SWARCO’s portfolio, is a key technology for developing Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) and its evolution towards 5G.
“Since ConVeX was founded almost two years ago, we’ve been witness to some of the most pioneering advancements in bridging the language gap between road infrastructure and connected vehicles,” said Michael Schuch, Speaker of the Executive Board, SWARCO AG. “By bringing together some of the most creative minds within the auto, telecommunications and infrastructure industries, we’ve been able to showcase a seamless and technical C-V2X experience that we will soon be able to bring to everyday road users.”
The 9150 C-V2X Platform is commercially available, and currently assisting RSU and Tier1 automotive suppliers to progress with C-V2X solutions in both roadways and vehicles. Qualcomm Technologies also recently announced the integration of C-V2X in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Automotive 4G and 5G Platforms.
“Two years ago, when the ConVeX consortium was established, we were focused on the enormous potential that connected and collaborative mobility had to improve traffic efficiency, enhance safety and lower emissions,” said Professor Hans D. Schotten, Technical University of Kaiserslautern. “Today we’ve witnessed exactly that. ConVeX and those involved continue to showcase the immense ability to utilize the latest technologies to move towards the ultimate vision of seamless intelligent driving.”