5GAA: Cellular Technology is Key Enabler for Smart Mobility of the Future

PR70108

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Industry association calls on European Commission to allow stakeholders to

work collaboratively towards an agreement on the technology catalyzing the

mobility of the future and warns against a "premature and cumbersome

legislative decision"

The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) encourages the automotive, technology, and

telecommunications industries and the European Commission to be ambitious when

evaluating technologies for connected, autonomous vehicles. 5GAA is confident

that cellular communication technology (C-V2X) has the most benefits when

applied to connected, self-driving cars. It has provided its views to the

Commission in a workshop and a letter with recommendations. Since its launch

one year ago, over 50 industry leaders from the automotive, technology and

telecommunications industries have teamed up in 5GAA to accelerate C-V2X

technology development and its evolution to 5G-V2X for enhanced safety,

automated driving and connected mobility.  

Christoph Voigt, Chairman of 5GAA said, "5GAA is confident that cellular

technology (including direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication at 5.9 GHz) has

the potential to lead to the best outcomes in the long run. We are strongly

relying on the European institutional support to put in place a regulatory

framework allowing for an industry-driven and swift deployment of this

technology. It is crucial to consider how the 5.9 GHz band, the "life blood" of

wireless vehicle communication, can be used efficiently in the context of 5G

technology evolution, road safety, and economic scalability. The automotive and

transportation sectors, both public and private, are making significant

investment commitments. Therefore, we are urging the European Commission to

allow the ITS-G5 and C-V2X stakeholders to work together towards an agreement

on the future of connected and automated cars, without a premature and

cumbersome legislative decision."

5GAA has recently provided its views to the Commission in a workshop and a

letter with recommendations.

Christoph Voigt: "We should aim high enough when selecting the solutions to

make connected, self-driving vehicles a reality. These are a catalyst to

improving the quality of life globally through safer traffic, improved

mobility, cleaner air in cities, and a better experience overall for drivers."

Dino Flore, Director General of 5GAA adds, "Saving lives through improved road

safety is obviously the primary positive outcome of deploying communication

technology solutions. In addition, we should take into account other aspects

when evaluating alternatives. We're not only talking about reducing congestion

and pollution but also optimizing the driving experience. It is our view that

cellular technology, including direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication at 5.9

GHz, has the most upward potential in the long run."

Helping vehicles "understand the environment they are navigating"

Launched in September 2016 by 8 founding members the 5GAA has in less than a

year grown to include over 50 leaders from the automotive, technology and

telecom industries who collaborate cross-industry on the future of transport.

5GAA's mission is to develop, test, and promote communications solutions,

initiate their standardization and accelerate their commercial availability and

global market penetration. The objective is to address society's connected

mobility and road safety needs with applications such as autonomous driving,

ubiquitous access to services and integration into smart city and intelligent

transportation.

Connected vehicles use communication technology to not only communicate with

other vehicles but also with road infrastructure, other road users such as

pedestrians, and the Internet - e.g. to provide traffic updates and parking

guidance. Use cases include collision warnings, "traffic jam ahead" warnings,

green light optimal speed advisory, parking guidance, and assisting drivers in

tackling treacherous traffic situations (e.g. turning left at a crossroads).

Connected vehicles will eventually reduce pollution, and make traffic more

efficient, reducing congestion in cities and improving the flow of goods and

people.

Christoph Voigt explains, "Equipping cars with sensors and cameras is one

thing, but imagine what is possible when cars use cellular technology to

communicate with their entire ecosystem: other vehicles, road users,

infrastructure, and central services that give real-time information."

"It's the difference between a car that is capable of seeing what is happening

in its immediate surroundings and one that can use all available information to

allow for a safer and more comfortable driving experience. After all, as

drivers we do more than purely react to what's in front of us. We listen to

traffic info, we are aware of the area we're navigating, and we are alert to

traffic jams in rush hour. We use context to guide our driving."

"This is exactly what cellular connectivity can enable vehicles to make easier,

or even take over from us in the case of self-driving vehicles. Except that it

will be faster and more accurate," concludes Christoph Voigt.

About 5GAA

The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) is a global cross-industry organisation of

companies from the automotive, technology and telecommunications industries

(ICT), working together to develop end-to-end solutions for future mobility and

transportation services. Created in 2016, the Association is comprised of over

50 members which mission is to develop, test and promote communications

solutions, initiate their standardization and accelerate their commercial

availability and global market penetration to address societal need. For more

information please visit 5gaa.org

Contacts

Robbe Libbrecht

FINN PR

robbe.libbrecht@finnpr.com

M +32-497-23-30-38

5GAA Marketing & Communications

marcom@5GAA.org

Source: 5GAA - 5G Automotive Association