Nissan, Verizon Team on Connected Car Messaging

Nissan and Verizon completed a test to determine if sensor data from cars and surrounding infrastructure could be processed at the edge of Verizon’s wireless network to notify drivers of potential dangers in near real time.

The vehicle-to-infrastructure proof-of-concept (POC) trial leveraged Verizon’s 5G Edge technology with Amazon Web Services Wavelength to extract sensor data from Nissan vehicles and road infrastructure.

Vehicles then received insights in near real time via the cellular network to prompt smart driver notifications through Nissan’s connected vehicle platform Intelligent Shared World.

The test is the latest example of Verizon pushing 5G edge transmission centers to enable ultra-low-latency IoT applications.

Verizon’s CEO Hans Vestberg’s CES 2021 keynote pointed to 5G being a priority for the company.

Earlier this year, Verizon introduced its Robotics Business Technology Division enabled by 5G edge systems, with robots also using AWS functionality hosted on Verizon’s mobile edge computing servers.

Nissan’s vehicle-to-infrastructure alerts relate to hazards hidden from the driver’s line-of-sight, such as pedestrians looking to cross behind vehicles or obstructions when turning left against oncoming traffic.

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) plans to validate the connected roadway’s feasibility in controlled public environments with a view of full implementation if successful.

CCTA has a grant program for automated driving systems to fund the Verizon-Nissan feasibility test. It expects the system could be deployed around busy intersections, retirement communities and as part of its county-wide congestion management project.

“CCTA is excited to be collaborating with Verizon and Nissan to test technology that addresses real transportation needs, delivering mobility choices to transportation-challenged and underserved communities while preparing our county for the future of mobility,” said Timothy Haile, executive director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority.

“Taking a proactive approach to safety is a priority for CCTA, and the technology we’re testing together will contribute toward making connected and automated vehicles a safe option for future travel.”