Networked Cars and Green Technologies

Recall that earlier this week, we had fun with Sync, Microsoft's in-car communications and entertainment system. But Sync is child's play when compared to the Fully Networked Car concept that's the focus at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show.

What is a "fully networked car"? It's a vehicle that not only talks to you, but which talks to vehicles around you, too. It's what you get when information and communication technologies (ICT) meet automotive technologies. Transportation authorities, auto manufacturers, computer vendors, and the IEEE are working together to install in all vehicles GPS controllers, sensors, and transceivers to share coordinates and telemetry data. All vehicles would have a unique IP-like address that would leverage the 5.9-GHz spectrum that has been set aside for transportation use. Meanwhile, the IEEE is developing the Dedicated Short-Range Communication Standard (DSRC) that would enable vehicles from all manufacturers to talk to each other. Initially, DSRC is relying on 802.11p wireless protocol.

But thanks to the environmental bandwagon, this year’s Fully Networked Car event at the Geneva show will focus on global climate change. In particular, how can ICT in vehicles help mitigate and monitor climate change? Experts believe that more sophisticated traffic management and driver-assistance systems can help reduce the environmental impact caused by motoring. Ironically, the Honda Racing F1 Team will showcase its 2008 Formula-1 "Earthdreams car" emphasizing "green automotive technologies" of the future. (I say "ironically" because I haven't quite grasped the concept of driving cars around in circles at high speeds, generating pollution and guzzling gas. But that's just me.) So who's behind the fully networked car concept? The usual suspects. BMW, Connexis, Fiat, Ford, Honda, and Volvo, along with Freescale Semiconductor, Intel, Motorola, Oracle, Telefónica, and Wavecom, among others.

-- Jonathan Erickson
jerickson@ddj.com

Posted by Jon Erickson at 11:22 AM  Permalink