Telefónica and SEAT showcase the first use case of assisted driving via mobile network

Telefónica and SEAT have presented the first case within the framework of the 5G Technological Cities project by equipping both a vehicle and road infrastructure with technology enabling the exchange of information, making it the first step towards V2X (vehicle-to-everything) vehicular communication using existing mobile networks in a real urban setting.

SEAT contributed a modified Ateca equipped with the latest connectivity technology to issue alerts to the driver through the instrument panel. The initiative was also carried out in collaboration with FICOSA, which manufactured the C-V2X communication device in the car; SICE, the owner of the road infrastructure which collaborated by equipping intersection traffic lights with connectivity, and Nokia, which implemented an MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) server, the communication platform between the vehicle and the road infrastructure.

The first use cases of assisted driving presented in Segovia consisted of the vehicle receiving an alert from a traffic light when a pedestrian is crossing the road on a blind right-hand corner. In addition, if the driver signals their intent to turn by indicating right, the vehicle displays an alert on the instrument panel that there is a pedestrian crossing the road.

The second usage case was that the vehicle receives an alert from a traffic light when it is about to change to red. According to its location, speed and course, the vehicle decides whether it has enough time to cross the intersection. If not, a warning alert is displayed on the instrument panel so the driver can prepare for a controlled stop.

To achieve this, and with the goal of obtaining stable lower latencies, it was essential to implement the MEC server, where the application was embedded to operate as an intermediary between the infrastructure and the vehicle, making pre-5G use possible.

Both cases are based on the standard C-V2X protocol, used for the first time in Spain with this demonstrator, to enable vehicular communication via the existing mobile infrastructure. This shows the potential there is when combining the C-V2X protocol with information gathered by additional sensors (a camera installed on a traffic light that detects pedestrians), to provide information about the surroundings of the vehicle and toincrease road safety.

According to Telefónica's manager of innovation, Mercedes Fernández: "The advantage of using C-V2X technology on top of the mobile network is that it provides vehicles with additional information about their surroundings and draws from the existing network without the need for specific implementations. Thanks to decreased levels of latency achieved by the improvements introduced in the LTE 4.9 network (pre 5G), we can now offer new cases of assisted driving. As the network develops and latencies diminish, use cases will advance towards cooperative as well as autonomous driving".

Furthermore, SEAT Digital Officer Fabian Simmer pointed out, "SEAT is accelerating its digital transformation and its commitment to becoming a benchmark in connected cars. The development of these initial cases of interaction between the car and 5G technology enables us to continue to make progress in our goal of offering drivers a more enjoyable and safer experience at the wheel".

àlvaro Sanchez, director of Telefónica Spain's account at Nokia, said: "Multi-access Edge Computing is a key element of the 5G architecture, providing processing resources close to where they are needed and thereby enabling near real-time responsiveness of applications. This is critical for use cases like assisted driving and further evolutionary steps, where fractions of a second make a big difference for traffic safety".

At the presentation, Segovia Mayor Clara Luquero emphasised, "The choice of Segovia as the pilot city to develop 5G technology, with use cases such as assisted driving via the mobile network, is a further example of the interest this provincial capital is taking in the digital revolution, and endorses the work being carried out for active development related to the new economy".

This experience is framed within the 5G Technological Cities project launched by Telefónica last January to turn Talavera de la Reina and Segovia into real 5G locations where both the technological implementation and use can be rolled out to highlight the capabilities of the new generation of mobile telephone technologies.