NXP Semiconductors has released its new life-saving V2X communication solution called the RoadLINK, in the recently launched version of the Volkswagen Golf. The new 8th Gen Golf is now the first volume European car model equipped with V2X, offering a major boost to the deployment of the technology on European roads. The technology can prevent accidents by having cars communicate with each other, independent of car brands and without the support of cellular infrastructure.
According to Dr. Johannes Neft, Head of Vehicle Body Development for Volkswagen, the introduction of V2X, together with traffic infrastructure providers and other vehicle manufacturers, is a major milestone in the direction of road safety. Volkswagen includes this technology, which doesn’t involve any user fees, as a standard feature to accelerate V2X penetration in Europe.
NXP and Volkswagen have closely collaborated for high-reliability and performance, as well as for standardization of V2X communication that addresses cybersecurity and privacy protection.
V2X in Europe
Wi-Fi based V2X is a mature technology that has been tested for more than 10 years. Presently, 1000 km of European roads are equipped with V2X technology based on Wi-Fi with 5000 km planned through the end of 2019. Its research and development, testing and standardization have occurred within a strong global eco-system of suppliers and car manufacturers to ensure reliability in diverse road and traffic conditions.
Wi-Fi therefore forms the basis of the European standard that has been chosen for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. An additional benefit is its availability independent of paid cellular services. Other developing cellular based technologies can be added complementary to Wi-Fi-based V2X.
V2X communication is set to become a critical part of advanced driving assistance systems and the migration to autonomous cars that communicate with each other and with traffic infrastructure. The unique benefit of Wi-Fi-based V2X is its robust, low latency, real-time communication – regardless of any car brands. Its highlights include:
- It enables awareness and communication between cars, road infrastructure like traffic lights or street signs, and other road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
- It is collaborative, allowing it to “tap into” surrounding sensor data from mutually equipped cars to warn of hazards and prevent accidents.
- The technology complements other ADAS sensing technologies such as radar, LiDAR and cameras.
- It helps vehicles to “see” more than a mile ahead and around corners to provide early warning of obstacles, hazards, and road conditions.
- It has the ability to “see” through objects, delivering more information than that obtained through line of sight only.
- Its sensing capabilities are unaffected by poor weather conditions.
NXP currently offers the only 5.9 GHz V2X system solution proven in volume production today.
