Road safety has been a priority for every single type of vehicle that participates in traffic for decades. Whether car, bus, truck, motorbike, bicycle or whatever is on the road – every vehicle features intelligent systems. They make it easier to turn, warn of vehicles in the blind spot or regulate the brakes during emergency braking. Much of this is still happening isolated. Soon, however, the ebike, for example, could be integrated into a technology in which different types of vehicles communicate with each other to prevent accidents.
Everyone becomes visible
At an event of the European industry consortium SECUR in Paris a few weeks ago, there was a small glimpse of what this could look like in practice in the future. A car and an ebike approach an intersection from different directions, which is difficult for both to see. Normally, this would be a constellation accompanied by a moment of shock and sudden braking. In the worst case, by an accident. But not so here. On the display of the ebike as well as on the console of the car, a message appears warning of the other vehicle approaching the next intersection from a certain direction. Sensitised accordingly, both slow down and cross the intersection without incident.
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- This is what the warning on the display of an ebike could look like for a car approaching at the next intersection.
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- On the information system of a car, the corresponding warning could be displayed like this.
In this demonstration, there was no collision because the ebike and the car exchanged information with each other. The concept behind this is called Vehicle-to-Everything communication, or V2X for short. Sometimes the abbreviation C-V2X appears. It stands for Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything.
What is meant here is always the same functional principle. Thanks to a sophisticated sensor system, a V2X-capable vehicle detects other vehicles with this technology at distances of several hundred metres. It compares numerous values, such as direction of travel, speed and current position. The system also recognises the type of vehicle involved. This comparison takes place up to ten times per second. The data is evaluated with the help of software. If danger threatens, the drivers and riders receive information. This should actively prevent accidents.
No nasty surprises: The e-cargo bike and car know that another vehicle is approaching even before they get to the intersection.
International cooperation
Given the complexity of such a task, it seems only logical that companies with different competences from different areas cooperate with each other to find a solution. Ebike manufacturer Bosch is involved in the aforementioned SECUR consortium. Its partners there include Volkswagen, the Hungarian software specialist Commsignia and the company Autotalks from Israel. Volkswagen already installs V2X in its Golf and ID e-cars. At present, however, these systems cannot yet recognise a bicycle. This is where Bosch comes into play as the supplier that currently installs probably the most drive systems for ebikes worldwide. And they should be able to handle V2X in the not too distant future.
The necessary technology is provided by Autotalks. Its founder and CTO Onn Haran was very pleased with the current status of the joint project on the sidelines of the demonstration in Paris: “The collaboration with VW and Bosch eBike Systems within the framework of the SECUR project is not only a vote of confidence in Autotalks’ pioneering micro-mobility V2X-powered technology, but also marks a step in making the world even safer for vulnerable road users. This is good news for cyclists, who will be able to feel even more confidence on the road.”
With the Autotalks ZooZ, there are already devices for use on bicycles that detect V2X-capable cars and warn of potentially dangerous situations.
Bosch and Autotalks have known each other for some time. Both participated in a project back in 2017 that involved a communication system between cars and motorbikes. Cohda Wireless and Ducati were the other partners at the time.
More initiatives
In addition to SECUR, there are several collaborations of other companies working on comparable solutions. For example, Audi America, the bicycle manufacturer BMC, Commsignia and Spoke have joined forces to also develop such a warning system. The US company Spoke is taking over the part that Autotalks fills at SECUR. The Chinese communications giant Huawei is also doing a lot in this direction.
Projects part of a big vision
Vehicles that warn each other are a promising approach to sustainably improving overall safety on the road. In fact, however, this too is only the preliminary stage of an even greater vision. After all, the technology can be extended to infrastructures. Traffic lights, pedestrian crossings or even people working in construction sites – they could all send signals. At the moment, ideas aim to warn all road users. A message appears and a person reacts. The next stage would be the interaction in traffic with an increasing number of autonomously operating vehicles that receive such warnings and react independently to the respective situation. But before we are on such networked roads, we are sure to consider one or two demonstrations in closed-off areas.
Pictures: Autotalks Ltd.