[Mark]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

When cars talk to each other: BMW joins car-to-x

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In the future, whenever that may be, a consortium of automakers have envisaged "car-to-x", a system which allows communication between cars via a mini WIFI network. Not only would the cars communicate with each other, they could also communicate with traffic signs, traffic signals, bridges, tolls and even dangerous roads. BMW has now joined the party, with the primary intent of using car-to-x for vehicle safety and efficiency.

The basis of the car-to-x network is usually a WLAN network, which is run on open standards between a consortium of automakers, and has been under development for over a decade. The consortium wants to create a brand agnostic system in the end.

The system itself does present some interesting real world use examples. For instance, the system could have important use for motorcycles, which would constantly transmit their location to surrounding cars, and so would warn the driver of a car who is about to potentially sideswipe the motorcycle.

Another case scenario involves a disabled vehicle around a blind end which could warn incoming high speed traffic to slow down.

BMW also cites use for efficiency-- imaging traffic lights warning you a few seconds before they turn green so you could get ready to go. Or cars stuck in traffic warning cars down the road that their is traffic, providing them an opportunity to bypass the traffic jam.

PRESS RELEASE + Expand

The key to intelligent driving, which is synonymous with energy-efficient and safe driving, is forward thinking. To help drivers plan ahead, vehicles from the BMW Group are already fitted with a large number of sensors designed to improve safety, comfort and efficiency. Often, however, these sensors have only a limited predictive capability or “horizon”. “Car-to-x” communication extends this horizon significantly, and will in future allow drivers to “see” long distances ahead, into areas currently hidden from view, and even around not just one but many corners.

Car-to-x communication means electronic networking of vehicles and roadside infrastructure, with the aim of exchanging information directly both between road users and between road users and roadside infrastructure such as traffic lights. Car-to-x communication is a comprehensive communication network which any road user can take part in.

Car-to-x communication usually operates via WLAN or mobile phone connections. For standard automotive application, car-to-x communication at present uses high-speed WLAN networking based on the high-frequency WLAN IEEE802.11p/ G5A standard, which is designed to allow real-time communication. The protocol allows large numbers of participants to communicate simultaneously without interference. At the same time the performance of mobile phone networks is improving steadily, with an increase in bandwidth and a reduction in data lag – the so-called latency times. Therefore, this type of medium, too, is becoming increasingly important for car-to-car communication, for example as a complement to direct communication via WLAN.

Connectivity brings added value.
Integrated and connected vehicle functions are nothing new within the BMW Group. Connectivity for infotainment applications already made its debut in the 1990s with BMW ConnectedDrive. For some years, the focus of development work in the BMW Group has been shifting increasingly towards integrated and connected comfort and, in particular, safety functions. Here, car-to-x communication opens up completely new potential. In the event of a hazard, extensive connectivity between vehicles allows oncoming and following traffic to be given advance warning of potential dangers, and therefore to react appropriately and in good time. But warnings are only one possible use of this communication platform. Since infrastructure data, too – for example about traffic light phases – can be integrated into this communication system, information is available which allows drivers to easily adapt their driving style for even greater efficiency, thereby significantly reducing vehicle emissions. This technology therefore offers new solutions not only for proactive safety and accident prevention but also for intelligent energy management.

“The more information I have about the rest of my journey – for example, if I know in advance when traffic lights will change, or if I know that an accident has just happened further along the route – the more promptly I can react, which means I have less stress and can either avoid hazardous situations altogether or at least reduce the risk.” (Karl-Ernst Steinberg, Head of Information and Communication Technologies at BMW Group Research and Technology).

In combination with existing vehicle sensors, car-to-x communication provides a valuable starting point or enhancement for a wide range of BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance and information systems of the future. These technologies, combined with the driver’s own input, create an extremely high-performance macrosystem capable of ensuring a safe and efficient journey from start to finish.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

This is very cool.

[M ETT]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

This is very cool.

Cool indeed! Nice to see BMW staying ahead technically.

[jeff@autocouture]

good stuff

[Blindside_137]

and then cars drive themselves...

This stuff seriously is remarkable, but I swear some day the safest way to drive will be to let the car do it autonomously.

[M5007]

Scary how much technology can do

[M-Power111]

interesting, and what happens when these talking cars become self aware?

[BV 50ANA]

it is not cool
this saves lives!

[D_o_S]

This would be awesome... I can imagine the intersection helper thing may be a nuisance at times, but I'd be all for the hazard warning thing and weather info.

[skiernan36]

And now all cars communicate with the roads and limit everyone's driving speed to the posted speed limit.

It's coming...

[EdM5]

-

[iwant335i]

omg. this system would go nuts with my driving ))

[iwant335i]

and Bmw please make more V8 breathtaking M cars !!!

[Pangloss]

Cars transmitting their locations to each other over WiFi... what could possibly go wrong?

[jeffgingras]

Neat. Although if the cars start sending low visibility warnings to each other every time someone turns on their fog lights, there are going to be a lot of false alarms...

[Imola.ZHP]

Lots of pros and cons here...

[Nang Vann]

That's interesting....

[theArgiope]

Awesome.

Hope the future of people consider this a safety enhancement and not a replacement for good driving decisions.

[Pangloss]

Sure. It's awesome.

I can't wait to get my hands on this software and put it on a Linux laptop with a WiFi hacking suite. Everyone around me will be wondering why the lane in front of me is clear a mile ahead, but the one in front of them is choked with cars.

Please, God, make them be stupid enough to tie in the traffic lights.

[e92ben]

Would be awesome stay away from drunk drivers and such.. But slowly this new tech is gonna deplete driving fun lol

[Pangloss]

"Siri, please create a 200-yard bubble around my car, and clear all traffic for the next four intersections."

[datbimmerdoe]