70 Seconds of Safety with Smart Connected Vehicles

70 seconds is all it takes to realize the benefits of smart, connected cars, trucks, and motorcycles that talk to traffic lights, road works, and each other. A live demo (read the blog @ http://oak.ctx.ly/r/58s7u), filmed in Munich at electronica 2016, showcases NXP, Siemens, Honda, DAF trucks, and Cohda Wireless technology for intelligent traffic management.

Using V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communications and radar technology, two trucks wirelessly link to form a platoon to save fuel, increase road safety, and cut down on emissions. The second truck, the follower, is in a semi-autonomous driving state, safely braking and accelerating at high speeds in sync with the lead truck. Radar detects when another car cuts into the platoon, making the road safer for all of the vehicles.

Watch how drivers are given warnings of approaching objects, like a motorcyclist and an ambulance. Vehicles also connect with smart infrastructure – in this case a stop light “extends” green to allow both trucks in the platoon to pass through safely and efficiently.