Automotive V2X: The Future of Connected Vehicles
Automotive V2X, or Vehicle-to-Everything, is a technology
that allows vehicles to communicate with each other, as well as with other
infrastructure and devices in the environment. This technology has the
potential to revolutionize the way we drive, making our roads safer and more
efficient. In this essay, we will explore the benefits of Automotive V2X and
its impact on the automotive industry.
What is Automotive Vehicle-to-Everything
(V2X)?
Automotive V2X is a technology that enables vehicles to
communicate with each other and with infrastructure such as traffic lights, road
signs, and other devices. The communication is done wirelessly using dedicated
short-range communication (DSRC) or cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X)
technology. This technology can be used to transmit information such as traffic
conditions, road hazards, and other relevant data, allowing drivers to make
better decisions and avoid accidents.
Benefits of
Automotive V2X
Improved Safety
One of the primary benefits of Automotive V2X is improved
safety. Vehicles can communicate with each other and with infrastructure in
real-time, allowing drivers to be alerted to potential hazards before they
occur. For example, a car could warn other vehicles about a pedestrian crossing
the road, or a driver could be alerted to an upcoming curve or slippery road
conditions. This technology can also be used to detect and prevent collisions,
reducing the number of accidents on the road.
Reduced Traffic
Congestion
Automotive V2X can also help reduce traffic congestion by
optimizing traffic flow and reducing delays. Traffic signals can communicate
with vehicles to adjust signal timing and optimize traffic flow, reducing wait
times at intersections. This technology can also help reduce the number of
vehicles on the road by encouraging carpooling and other forms of shared transportation.
Improved Efficiency
Automotive V2X can help improve the efficiency of vehicles
by providing real-time information about traffic conditions, road hazards, and
other relevant data. This information can be used to optimize routes, reduce
fuel consumption, and improve overall vehicle performance.
Enhanced Driver
Experience
Automotive V2X can enhance the driver experience by
providing real-time information about traffic conditions, weather, and other
relevant data. This information can be used to provide personalized
recommendations and alerts, making the driving experience more enjoyable and
less stressful.
Impact on the
Automotive Industry
Automotive V2X has the potential to revolutionize the
automotive industry by providing a new level of connectivity and safety to
vehicles. This technology will require new infrastructure and devices to be
installed, which will create new opportunities for companies in the automotive
and technology industries. The deployment of this technology will also require
new regulations and standards to be put in place to ensure that the technology
is safe and reliable.
Automotive V2X is a technology that has the potential to
revolutionize the way we drive, making our roads safer and more efficient. This
technology can improve safety, reduce traffic congestion, improve efficiency,
and enhance the driver experience. The deployment of this technology will
require new infrastructure, devices, regulations, and standards, which will
create new opportunities for companies in the automotive and technology
industries. As this technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more
connected and intelligent vehicles on our roads in the near future.
The growing concerns regarding environmental pollution,
coupled with the rising demand for connected vehicles, are expected to drive
the demand for automotive V2Xs. Additionally, the advancements in autonomous
vehicle technology, as well as the ongoing developments in 5G technology, are
likely to create new opportunities in this market.
To capitalize on these opportunities, companies operating in
the automotive V2X market are concentrating on developing new products. For
example, in January 2020, Qualcomm Technologies Inc. unveiled a new Qualcomm
C-V2X reference platform for vehicular and roadside units (RSUs). This platform
is expected to offer computational power to deliver a full suite of 4G and 5G
wireless and C-V2X solutions, including precise positioning, message security,
signing and verification, and Intelligent Transport System (ITS) stacks.
Market Dynamics of Automotive Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) Market
The automotive industry is experiencing a significant
transformation as manufacturers shift their focus towards advanced mobility
technologies, including connected and autonomous vehicles. In order to maintain
their competitiveness, major automakers such as Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz, and
Volkswagen are investing heavily in the research and development of hardware,
software, and services related to vehicle connectivity and autonomous driving.
To accelerate the development and deployment of the
next-generation chipset for connected cars, Hyundai Motor has formed a
strategic partnership with Autotalks through a direct investment. This move is
expected to enhance vehicle and road safety as well as mobility, which is
crucial for the advancement of autonomous driving technology. According to
Yunseong Hwang, the Director of Open Innovation Business Group at Hyundai Motor
Company, connectivity is a fundamental technology that can be applied to smart
city business models, as well as autonomous driving and infotainment. In line
with its current and future strategies, Hyundai Motor is committed to investing
in disruptive technologies.
In 2020, General Motors introduced 5G onboard connectivity
on all new Cadillac models, and most Chevrolet and Buick vehicles are expected
to be equipped with this technology by 2022 in China. This service offers
faster internet speeds compared to the OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi that GM already
provides in its vehicles. The improved upload and download speeds enable
over-the-air updates in more vehicles and facilitate communication between new
GM vehicles and other vehicles on the road (vehicle-to-vehicle) as well as the
public road infrastructure (vehicle-to-infrastructure).
Considering the recent developments and growing
collaborations in the V2X (vehicle-to-everything) ecosystem, it is anticipated
that the demand for V2X technology will increase significantly in the coming
years. The rising popularity of V2X technology is expected to lead to its
exponential growth in the automotive industry.
The absence of proper infrastructure is a significant
hindrance to the V2X ecosystem. On highways, information pertaining to lane
changes, object detection, traffic status, vehicle distance, and services like
navigation and connectivity are crucial for vehicles. Unfortunately, the
connectivity between vehicles and the cloud is limited due to inadequate
network connectivity on highways. This is particularly evident in developing
economies like Brazil, India, and Mexico, where the development of connectivity
infrastructure on highways lags behind that of developed economies. The
availability of 3G and 4G-LTE communication networks, which are essential for
connectivity, is mostly restricted to urban and semi-urban areas.
Even though several third-party logistics companies operate
in semi-urban and rural areas, low connectivity issues persist. As a result,
the lack of information technology and communication infrastructure in
developing regions, combined with delays in government regulations, could
impede the growth of the automotive V2X market in these countries.
Additionally, industry players may face country-specific telecom regulations,
such as lawful intercept and in-country entity requirements, and regulations
should be in place to govern the interoperability of various platforms and
cross-border use cases.
Moreover, the reliance on data networks raises concerns about
net neutrality, where internet service providers prioritize data transmission
for some data while giving lower priority to others. In 2020, the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) reported that there was a significant gap between
the 85% coverage of 4G in urban areas and the inadequate 29% coverage in rural
areas on a global scale. This disparity in coverage means that the benefits of
5G for motor vehicles would only be realized in urban areas, while rural areas
would be left behind. Moreover, a lack of 5G coverage in rural areas could
significantly hinder mobility business models that rely on effective
connectivity.
It is essential to consider the diversity of use cases
envisioned for future 5G networks when addressing coverage issues, although the
geographical distribution of coverage has not yet been established. The high
frequencies proposed for 5G would necessitate a large number of relay antennas
connected to the network through fiber optic, which would further increase the
costs involved in achieving rural coverage. As a result, these factors are
expected to limit potential opportunities for the automotive V2X market during
the forecast period.
Various governments around the world have been supporting
the development of V2X (vehicle-to-everything) technology through different
initiatives. For example, the US government has taken several measures to
promote V2X technology in 2022. Similarly, the UK government launched the
Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Innovation Program in 2022 to overcome barriers
that hinder energy flexibility from bi-directional electric vehicle charging.
Additionally, the US Department of Transportation (DoT) has carried out several
activities aimed at enhancing the benefits of V2X technology. The integration
of V2X technology with in-vehicle sensors can enable numerous innovative
applications and support the integration of automated vehicles.
The European Union (EU) has also expressed a keen interest
in implementing V2X technology. However, the EU has rejected the European
Commission's proposal to mandate the IEEE 802.11p standard for V2X
communication. The government's increased support for the development of V2X
technology is expected to drive the market in the coming years.
The V2X system is vulnerable to cyber threats that can
negatively impact its functionality and integrity. It is essential to ensure
that the source of each message is genuine, and the content is protected from
external interference and modification. However, due to the heterogeneous
nodes, intermittent connection, and different speeds, traditional security
methods may not be sufficient, which can result in cyberattacks. OBUs, which
provide network access, are particularly vulnerable to such attacks, which can
cause the V2X to malfunction.
5G-V2X technology may provide a solution to the shortcomings
of other V2X technologies like DSRC, 802.11p, and LTE-V2X. Implementing the
Non-Standalone 5G (NS-5G) or Standalone-5G (S5G) mode for V2X communication
requires more research and development. With S-5G, high protection against
threats is available without compromising the ultra-low latency and ultra-high
reliability.
To address privacy and security concerns, the 5G Automotive
Association (5GAA) has an agreement with eight founding members, including AUDI
AG, BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ericsson, Huawei, Intel, Nokia, and Qualcomm
Incorporated, to develop a common standard. This standard aims to improve
privacy and security, with a particular focus on the 5.9GHz spectrum band for
the internet of vehicles.
During the forecast period, the cellular segment is expected
to be the fastest-growing market in terms of connectivity. Cellular
Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology has gained significant attention
recently due to its superior efficiency and mobility safety. This advanced
wireless technology allows vehicles to remain connected while on the move and
communicate with other vehicles (V2V), pedestrians (V2P), roadside
infrastructure (V2I), network (V2N), and cloud (V2C). One of the main
advantages of C-V2X is its ability to provide better security and real-time
communication with low latency. The continuous advancements in 5G technology
will improve the speed and quality of transmission, and the ability of C-V2X to
support both short-range and long-range transmission will be another driving
factor in its growth. China has also been focusing on C-V2X technology, with
plans to have it pre-installed in around 50% of new cars by 2025.
The on-board units (OBU) segment is expected to be the
largest market segment in terms of units during the forecast period. An OBU is
a transceiver that is mounted on a vehicle and functions as a portable unit
with radiating structures present within 20 cm of the user. It is capable of
communication with roadside units (RSUs) and other OBUs while the vehicle is
mobile or stationary. OBUs offer several safety features for V2X communication,
which is expected to drive the growth of the OBU segment in the automotive V2X
market during the forecast period.
The Asia Pacific region is predicted to be the largest
market for the automotive Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology in the
forecast period. The region includes both emerging and developed countries,
such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea. This study has focused on these countries,
while Taiwan and Australia have been covered in qualitative terms. The region
has recently become a hub for automobile production, driven by the increasing
purchasing power of the population and growing concerns for the environment,
which has led to a surge in demand for V2X technology in the Asia Pacific.
Countries like South Korea and Japan are leading in
electronics, which puts them in an advantageous position to design V2X
solutions with better performance at a lower cost. Moreover, the Asia Pacific
region has prominent players in the automotive V2X market, including Denso
Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Hitachi Solutions Ltd., Huawei
Technologies Co. Ltd., and Hyundai Motor Company. The presence of these
companies is expected to further boost the Asia Pacific market in the upcoming
years.
Key Market Players in Automotive Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) Market
- QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
- AUTOTALKS
- CONTINENTAL AG
- ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
- COHDA WIRELESS
- BORGWARNER INC.
- NXP SEMICONDUCTORS
- INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
- DENSO CORPORATION
- STMICROELECTRONICS
- HARMAN INTERNATIONAL
- KAPSCH GROUP
- MARBEN PRODUCTS
- CAPGEMINI ENGINEERING
- NOKIA
- DSPACE GMBH
- FICOSA INTERNACIONAL SA
- ESCRYPT
- VECTOR INFORMATIK GMBH
- VOLKSWAGEN AG
- BMW AG
- MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
- AUDI AG
- RENAULT GROUP
- MCLAREN GROUP
- UNEX TECHNOLOGY CORP.
- MITSUBISHI CORPORATION
- FLEX LTD.
- HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
- TATA MOTORS
- HITACHI SOLUTIONS, LTD.
- HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
- NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
- LEAR CORPORATION
- INTEL CORPORATION
- DANLAW, INC.
- COMMSIGNIA LTD.
- GENERAL MOTORS
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Recent Developments in Automotive Vehicle-to-everything
(V2X) Market
The Automotive Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) market has seen
recent developments in various aspects of the technology. In August 2020, Cohda
Wireless unveiled an advanced C-V2X software development kit. This kit is a
self-contained virtual machine that allows individuals with previous embedded
Linux experience to easily compile and run C-V2X applications using C-V2X
development platforms such as Qualcomm's 9150 C-V2X chipset solution.
Qualcomm Technologies Inc. introduced a new Qualcomm C-V2X
reference platform for vehicular and roadside units (RSUs) in January 2020.
This platform offers computational power to deliver a full suite of 4G and 5G
wireless and C-V2X solutions. It also includes multi-frequency GNSS location
services for precise positioning, V2X message security, signing and
verifications, and V2X Intelligent Transport System (ITS) stacks, which
complement C-V2X communication solutions.
In July 2019, Cohda Wireless announced a hardware solution
for Cellular V2X (C-V2X) applications that accelerated the commercial
introduction of C-V2X technology. The MK6C solution features the Qualcomm 9150
C-V2X Platform and offers high-quality and compatible C-V2X software to support
direct communications in V2V, V2I, and V2P applications. This technology
supports vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, and vehicle-to-pedestrian
applications.
Automotive Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology refers to
the communication between vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians, and other
devices. This technology enables vehicles to share data with other entities,
such as traffic signals, other cars, and the cloud, to improve safety, traffic
efficiency, and reduce emissions.
Growing demand for connected vehicles: The demand for
connected cars is increasing rapidly, as consumers are looking for advanced
features that enhance driving experience, such as real-time traffic updates,
emergency services, and remote diagnostics. According to a report by Allied
Market Research, the global connected car market is expected to reach $141
billion by 2026.
Deployment of 5G technology: The deployment of 5G technology
is expected to revolutionize the V2X market. 5G networks provide faster speeds,
lower latency, and higher reliability, making it possible to support a wide
range of V2X applications, such as autonomous driving and smart traffic
management. Several automotive manufacturers, including Ford and Audi, have
announced plans to launch 5G-enabled vehicles in the near future.
Increasing government regulations: Governments around the
world are introducing regulations to promote the adoption of V2X technology.
For example, the European Union has mandated that all new cars sold in the
region must be equipped with V2X technology by 2022. Similarly, China has also
announced plans to mandate V2X technology in all new vehicles by 2025.
Collaborations and partnerships: Automotive manufacturers
are partnering with technology companies to develop V2X solutions. For example,
BMW has partnered with Intel and Mobileye to develop an autonomous driving
platform that uses V2X technology. General Motors has also partnered with
Qualcomm to develop V2X communication systems.
Emergence of V2X startups: The growing demand for V2X
technology has led to the emergence of several startups in the market. These
startups are developing innovative solutions to address the challenges in the
V2X market, such as interoperability, cybersecurity, and data privacy. Some
notable V2X startups include Savari, Autotalks, and Cohda Wireless.
In conclusion, the Automotive Vehicle-to-everything (V2X)
market is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements, government
regulations, and collaborations between automotive manufacturers and technology
companies. The market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years,
with the deployment of 5G technology and the increasing demand for connected
cars.