The VTT Technical Research Centre in Finland is currently testing a 5G based system that might end up saving countless lives all around the world. The program, known as the 5G-Safe Project, is geared towards helping protect drivers on the road from any number of avoidable traffic accidents or mishaps. And it can only become a reality thanks to 5G.
We have road warnings now that will alert drivers to unsafe conditions within minutes. But what if, for every accident, change in weather, or possible threat on the road, there was an immediate warning? VTT is trying to make that a reality by coordinating a series of safety services into a single, concise message that will assist drivers, road operators, engineers working on or near roads, and even self-driving cars while they are on the road. Signals would be transmitted directly to the car via a 5G network, offering real time advice and warnings to drivers when they come across dangerous situations. 5G speeds and capacity would be required due to the amount of data required and the low latency 5G technology promises. Other cars in the area would relay information, about weather, accidents or other adverse driving conditions, and it would be processed and sent wirelessly and quickly to any other drivers in the area. It responds in real time, helping improve safety conditions. To help support this system, 5G network capabilities are being developed to help reduce delays with data exchange and responsiveness. Even if there is a person behind the wheel and in the driver’s seat, the process is automatic and almost instantaneous.
Tiia Ojanperä, a project manager with VTT, spoke about the service in a recent press release from the organization. She highlights much of the potential good this service might be able to provide people all across the world. “The wide introduction of real-time services, based on sensor and video data collected from vehicles, is being made possible by next-generation 5G mobile network technology and new solutions supporting optimal data collection and exchange,” Ojanperä stated, “5G will form the cornerstone of interaction between robot cars, for example. Finnish ICT firms have major export potential in this area. Contemporary driver support systems are mainly vision-based, relying on signals generated by the vehicle’s sensors. 5G and short-range radios will also bring the power of speech and hearing to vehicles, taking their capabilities to a new level.”
The service is still being produced and tested, but is expected to be revealed sometime in 2018. It’s especially exciting for those investing in autonomous self-driving cars, but is also an example of the wide range of positive results that even the concept of 5G are bringing to the table. 5G has been inspiring innovation all around the world, and could be the kind of 5G development that saves lives.
