INDUSTRY WATCH
WITH DATA ALREADY
FLOWING OUT OF
AND INTO VEHICLES,
IOT AND AVS WILL
REQUIRE MUCH FASTER
CONNECTIVITY IF THEY
ARE TO SUCCESSFULLY
INTEROPERATE
IN A DRIVERLESS
ENVIRONMENT.
W
ith telemetry systems
doing everything from
capturing driver behaviour
to performing diagnostics and providing
roadside assistance, these have become
standard features. However, the
emergence of autonomous vehicles
(AVs) will result in new expectations
around what it means to be connected
and fundamentally change the transport
industry in the future.
Already, many vehicles incorporate
a plethora of sensors, cameras and
radar systems that are used for parking
assistance, cruise control and blindside
monitoring. Even though these, and other
innovations, will be integral to ensure the
safety of AVs, there is a vital element that
needs to be addressed: linking vehicles
to those in their proximity as well as the
infrastructure around them.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has been
earmarked as a vital growth area in
our drive towards a digital lifestyle.
With data already flowing out of and
into vehicles, IoT and AVs will require
much faster connectivity if they are to
successfully interoperate in a driverless
environment. Speed of access will be
fundamental to ensure the safety of
vehicles and passengers.
www.intelligentcio.com
In fact, Intel believes that current
connectivity is not sufficient to handle
the data requirements of AVs.
The company argues that 5G wireless
networking will be the cornerstone that
caters for the transfer rates needed
between AVs and connected infrastructure.
Wireless everywhere
This connected infrastructure is perhaps
an area that is most concerning to those
who have ever experienced faulty traffic
lights, pedestrians crossing the road at any
point, and cyclists and taxis competing for
lane space in peak hour traffic.
If legacy infrastructure can barely keep
up now, what are the chances of Africa
successfully delivering a connected
system able to help manage AVs?
The answer to this is the emergence
of smart WiFi transport hubs. Already,
people are using their smartphones and
tablets to access information while on
the move.
To empower this connected citizen, many
African governments have partnered with
private sector organisations to develop
these hubs around train and bus stations,
INTELLIGENTCIO
81