We are living in a technology evolution era; automotive industry has also been transforming like any other modern technologies. Self driving smart cars are not a science fiction anymore. Here we will see what are the applications of wireless technology in smart vehicles.
Since the advancement of modern communication technologies, every industry is adapting to modern wireless transmission techniques to support wide areas of possibilities. Modern wireless technologies enable us to enhance safety, security, efficiency and convenience.
How wireless technologies are used in automotive industry
Infotainment system
It has been few decades since the first generation of car audio system available in the market. Ever since the introduction first generation audio cassette players, car audio system has gone through a continuous evolution.
Compact disc replaced old generation magnetic tape players, few years later DVD and bluray discs were introduced. Latest models of car multimedia system are capable of handling HD audio and video format.
What is the role of wireless technologies in infotainment systems?
We are able to connect our Smartphone and other smart device to our infotainment systems using wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Users can pair their devices with infotainment systems, it can respond to voice commands, handle hands free mode to answer calls while driving, operate systems with ease and convenience.
In future, high definition multimedia players will be common in every vehicle.
Efficient road navigation using digital data
Accurate mapping of vehicles are critical for autonomous driving. Modern wireless communication technologies enable us to locate precisely and transmit information with considerably low latency. Collected information can be used for efficient navigation and sharing with other nodes.
Modern navigations applications can be integrated into the infotainment systems; it will allow users to easily navigate using GPS/GLONASS systems.
Smart cars can communicate with modern communication networks like LTE and LTE advanced. Super charged 5G network and Internet of Things will offer effective management of smart driving.
Everything connected is a modern concept in automotive industry where vehicles will be connected to almost every physical things in its surrounding and to the cloud.
Connected car concept – Autonomous driving
Self driving car has a system of sophisticated software, well designed hardware and low latency connectivity. Wide ranges of sensors are used in self driving cars like LiDAR, RADAR, Sonar sensors, cameras and radio antennas.
Integration of these sensors and processing of real time data with higher accuracy is required for the implementation of smooth cruise of vehicles. Each of the sensors has specific purposes and it will continuously collect large amount data.
Using complex software algorithms, collected data is processed and each decision are made accurately (whether to speed up, slow down, make turns or stop the vehicle etc…).
Using 5G networks, huge amount of data can be handled and large number or vehicles can be connected to the network. Low latency signals are significant for improving accuracy of the path detections decision making for vehicles (using algorithms).
With Vehicle to vehicle communication (V2V) technology, vehicles can exchange information like the distance between two vehicles, traffic information, road conditions etc… This information can be used to manage and control traffic efficiently during heavy traffic conditions.
Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communications system offers line of sight and non line of sight collision avoidance systems which helps drivers sharing the road. It offers higher scale of safety for passengers.
Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) communications system allows communicating with many safety applications, digital sign boards, transfer location information, cellular long range communication to share information regarding traffic conditions and reduce congestion.
Vehicle to Pedestrian (V2P) communication system can detect presence of people in the surrounding even when the driver can’t see it directly and alert drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists using special Smartphone applications.
Vehicle to Cloud (V2C) communication deals with security authentications, share information about parking lots, reserve lot positions and keep updated with latest device firmware.
Automatic alert of emergency situations can be activated during accidents. It will speed up rescue operations, recovery and clearing of motorways.
Wireless charging of vehicles
Wireless electrical charging of vehicles is a hot top in automotive industry. Technology pioneers like Qualcomm has already been developed efficient wireless charging technology for cars. Quick wireless charging offers convenience for users to efficiently charge their vehicles at wireless charging stations, parking lots or at home.
Qualcomm has achieved transfer efficiency of more than 90% with single primary base pad. Wireless charging technology can be further improved for better efficiency and easier implementation in the future.
Vehicle security
Security is one the most significant aspect manufacturers should consider. Keyless access is a convenient feature of any vehicles; automatic alert during theft is an added security option of modern vehicles.
Internet of Things applications
Smart sensor technology together with Internet of Things will offer an effective management of inventory, service and repair schedule of future vehicles. Smart cars will have wide variety of sensors designed for specific applications, it detects condition of a spare and trigger service provider and arrange a schedule for maintenance.
Conclusion
Possibilities of wireless technology are limitless and many tests are in progress to support autonomous driving, connected vehicles and smart car technologies. Wireless robots are deployed in the manufacturing plants to support production, increase efficiency and precision. Effective use of modern wireless technologies integrated with automobiles will offer a much convenient and safer road trip in future.
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