“Wireless Communication and Safety of Self-Driving Vehicles”

LIFE-SAVING AUTOMATION

Vehicular fatalities in the US have increased by 14% in the last two years, with 1,000 deaths occurring every nine days due to distracted driving, mostly caused by smartphone use. David Leonhardt suggests addressing this issue by developing driverless cars. However, there are challenges, such as the irony of using wireless communication to prevent fatalities caused by wireless communication. An engineer working on upcoming wireless communication technologies highlights the challenges that driverless cars face and the overshadowing of their potential by a fatal crash during a trial run.

CARS, ELECTRIFICATION, AND COMMUNICATION

Electric and communication technologies have allowed vehicles to monitor their performance and notify drivers of issues, increasing safety. Connected vehicles can access services such as diagnostics, maps, and roadside assistance. Driverless vehicles are still in development, with two main approaches: one relies on sensors, while the other equips the vehicle with AI for autonomous navigation and communication with nearby vehicles. A hybrid approach is also possible.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS NEEDED

Autonomous vehicles rely on advanced technologies like radar, computer vision, and Lidar-based mapping for situational awareness and decision-making. But reliable wireless communication is also crucial for safe operation, including vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, and eventually, vehicle-to-everything connections. However, ensuring the reliability of these wireless connections is vital, as the safety of autonomous vehicles depends on them. The question remains: how can we create reliable wireless connections between autonomous vehicles that are safe enough to trust our lives with?

5G AND WI-FI

To make autonomous vehicles a reality, seamless wireless connectivity between them is crucial. 5G and IEEE 802.11p™-based DSRC are two potential solutions for wireless communication protocols. Low latency is a critical requirement, with data transfer needed between hundreds of vehicles in 1-2 milliseconds. While 5G promises high data speeds and low latency, its effectiveness in a cellular configuration is debatable. IEEE 802.11p™ has already been ratified and relies on a contention-based approach similar to Wi-Fi. A hybrid approach using the best of both technologies is conceivable. Public policy and standards will play a vital role in ensuring reliable wireless connections between autonomous vehicles.

SEARCHING FOR SPECTRUM

For autonomous vehicles to communicate with each other, they need enough wireless bandwidth to transmit data. In the US, 75 MHz of wireless bandwidth around 5.9 GHz has been reserved for vehicular communication since 1999, but it's now under threat of being used for other purposes. This limited bandwidth could be addressed by allowing vehicles to access available spectrum through cognitive radio technology, which identifies and uses open spectrum. Scientists are studying bumblebee communication as a possible model for developing the algorithms needed for this approach.

SOLUTIONS BRING SPIN-OFF BENEFITS

Efficient wireless communication technologies are essential for the success of driverless vehicles. However, this presents significant challenges, particularly in the dynamic environment of moving vehicles. Ongoing research and development are needed, but the potential benefits of safer roads and improved IoT connectivity make it worthwhile. This article's views are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Futurism or its affiliates.

#autonomousvehicles #wirelesscommunication #safety #5G