5GAA, Audi, Ford, Qualcomm demo C-V2X direct comms

The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), Audi, Ford and Qualcomm have announcedwhat they claim is the world’s first demonstration for cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) direct communications technology operating across vehicles from different manufacturers.

Using the C-V2X chipset from Qualcomm in Audi and Ford vehicles, demonstrations showcased various scenarios of how C-V2X communications can alert nearby vehicles to potential hazards when the driver’s view may be obstructed. A case in point is to use vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications to alert surrounding vehicles when cars were turning left or braking.

Additional use cases were featured, including a vulnerable road user (VRU) demo showcasing what can be possible with future vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communications, 5GAA said in a statement.

Use cases for vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication were also demonstrated, which showcased 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.

5GAA said the demos showcased the benefits of using C-V2X real-time direct communications on the 5.9-GHz Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) spectrum for V2V collision avoidance and improved road safety, independent of the cellular operator network involvement, credentials or coverage.

In addition, initial field test results of the demos showed C-V2X direct communications had more than twice the range of 802.11p radio technology.

The 5GAA, Audi, Ford and Qualcomm are scheduled to showcase another live C-V2X interoperability demo at the upcoming Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS-A) World Meeting in Detroit from June 4-7.