Continental, Deutsche Telekom AG, Fraunhofer ESK, and Nokia Networks yesterday demonstrated real-time communication between vehicles via the LTE cell network. This was a demonstration of the first project arising from the "Innovation Charter for the digital A9 motorway test bed". The part of the Autobahn where the tests are taking place is located in Bavaria.
The exercise demonstrated how vehicles on the motorway can share hazard information using the LTE network of Deutsche Telekom. As extremely short transmission times are vital for this purpose, a section of the Deutsche Telekom network was equipped with innovative Mobile Edge Computing technology from Nokia Networks, and upgraded with position-locating technology developed by Fraunhofer ESK.
This combination will, for the first time, permit signal transport times between two vehicles of less than 20 milliseconds. Combining the technology with the vehicle electronics interface developed by Continental gives rise to a number of different applications aimed at making driving safer and more comfortable.
Alexander Dobrindt, the German Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, was present and commented: "With the 'digital A9 motorway test bed', we have created a technology-neutral offering for industry and research. Innovative companies can trial automated and networked driving in real-life conditions on the motorway. We are, in a very real sense, bringing the laboratory to the road. This is the first demonstration of car-to-car communication via a high-speed cellular connection with near-5G performance. With it, we are taking the leap into the digital real-time age on the road. This will make traffic more predictable for drivers and will help prevent traffic jams and accidents. The project highlights the fact that Germany is paving the way for Mobility 4.0 in the digitalized world. Our ambition is to make the rating 'tested on German Autobahn' internationally recognized as a standard."
