The fifth generation of mobile networks and wireless vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications will boost auto industry innovation in a “significant” manner, according to Ky Tang, Executive Director of Strategy at location-based service provider Telenav. In an interview with AndroidHeadlines, Mr. Tang predicted that a greater proliferation of the two technologies will benefit the auto technology industry across the board, allowing for everything from enhanced in-car services to entirely new solutions. 5G technology will provide drivers with HD maps and maps for autonomous vehicles, as well as the ability to receive real-time data and traffic alerts faster than ever. It also will allow vehicles to automatically assess and relay network traffic information in real-time. With 5G, there is no need for any manual intervention as in Waze today, according to the executive. Likewise, V2V itself will allow smarter vehicles to be capable of notifying drivers about changing traffic conditions in real time by virtue of the fact that they will all be communicating with one another.
The upcoming new wireless standard and inter-vehicle exchange technologies will also provide new opportunities to more companies looking to compete in the segment, with Mr. Tang seeing 5G and V2V as “big trends, taking the user car experience to the next level.” The executive believes that established industry players such as Telenav will be looking to innovate as these two technologies become available on a significant scale. As such, they will provide auto OEMs with “tremendous benefits” and allow them to improve their in-car services game, the industry veteran said. Ultimately, Telanav is hoping that 5G and V2V will allow it to innovate in a swifter manner and offer new solutions to OEMs, with the end result of the wireless revolution essentially being guaranteed to benefit consumers in a wide variety of ways.
5G is still in its infancy in the United States, with all four national carriers presently running limited tests in select locations and preparing for first commercial rollouts in 2019. Nationwide coverage is likely to be achieved by 2020, according to recent forecasts and the wireless industry’s own plans.