Communicating cars: Volkswagon and NXP Semiconductors rollout world’s largest V2X technology

NXP Semiconductors N.V. recently introduced its life-saving RoadLINK V2X communication solution. It will be taken to roads by the 8th generation of Volkswagon Golf — one of the first cars in the world to be equipped with V2X.

NXP’s RoadLINK Solution is equipped with NXP SAF 5100 Processors, SXF1800 Secure Element, and TEF5100 Transceivers.

The technology is expected to play a crucial role in the deployment of technology in European roads and others. This new technology will reduce the number of accidents on roads. It will also allow more efficient communication between cars, irrespective of their brands and without any need for cellular infrastructure.

The two companies closely collaborated to ensure high-performance, better reliability, and standardization of V2X communication that takes care of privacy protection and cybersecurity.

What is V2X technology?
V2X is a WiFi-based mature technology that has been around for more than a decade. Currently, more than 1000 kilometers of European roads are covered under V2X technology and 5,000 more will be added by end of this year.

The R&D testing, as well as standardization of V2X, has taken place within a very strong global ecosystem of carmakers and suppliers. All of these inputs ensured the highest reliability under most diverse traffic and road situations. WiFi is the base for all standard vehicle-to-infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communications in Europe.

In coming years, V2X communication is set to play a significant role in development of advanced driving assistance system and transfer to autonomous cars capable of interacting with each other and traffic systems.

Features
● Enables communication and awareness between cars, traffic lights, and road infrastructure as well as street signs. It will be equally useful for
pedestrians and cyclists.
● Allows ‘tapping into’ surrounding sensor data from mutually equipped cars to warn drivers and passersby of hazards and accident-prone situations.
● Strong sensing capabilities that work irrespective of change in weather conditions.
● Can see through objects and deliver more information than what can be obtained from the line of sight.
● Helps the drivers see around the corners and more than a mile ahead by providing prior warning signs of road conditions, hazards, and obstacles.
● Perfectly teams with ADAS sensing technologies like cameras, LiDAR, and
radar.

“Road safety forms the core of VW’s commitment to its customers,” said Dr Johannes Neft, head of Vehicle Body Development for Volkswagon brand. “As a high-volume manufacturer, we aim to be a pioneer in this space. The introduction of V2X together with traffic infrastructure providers and other vehicle manufacturers is a major milestone in this direction. Volkswagon includes this technology which doesn’t involve any user fees, as a standard feature to accelerate V2X penetration in Europe.”

Torsten Lehman, the senior vice president and general manager of Driver Assistance and Infotainment at NXP, added: “Volkswagon has taken a bold step to seize the road safety initiative through the implementation of V2X. After proving our technology in more than one million test days globally, we are pleased that our RoadLINK technology developed in cooperation with Cohda Wireless, was chosen to enable new levels of safety in Europe’s most popular car model, the new Golf.”