According to the 2024 US Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study by J.D. Power, vehicle owners are only interested in features that solve real problems. Features like hands-on driver assistance and passenger display screens scored low in usefulness compared to those that address specific concerns, such as visual blind spots when backing up. [1] You can almost hear an uncle ranting: “I don’t need any help driving! I can see the road risks just fine with my own eyes”.

While V2X wasn’t included in the study as it is currently not deployed in the US, the findings offer insights into the future acceptance of V2X. V2X technology fits the category of features that solve a genuine problem. Not just one, but multiple problems are solved by (and only with) V2X.

EuroNCAP began grading Local Hazard Warnings in 2023, defining nine key warnings. A traffic jam warning, for instance, alerts drivers when approaching the end of a jam, providing early warnings for avoiding hard braking. Other hazards, like slippery roads, can’t be mitigated without V2X, highlighting the critical role of V2X in solving real driver safety problems.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) V2X deployment plan aims to equip 25% of signalized intersections with V2X by 2028 and 50% by 2031.[2] V2X infrastructure can prevent accidents by warning drivers about red-light runners, an issue that causes over 1,000 fatalities annually in the US. While drivers don’t like to think about this whenever crossing an intersection, the problem can’t get more real than that. Smart intersections, equipped with sensors to detect all road users, including Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), will further enhance safety, by alerting about any hidden road user that might pop up in the driver’s path, using alerts such as left turn warning.

As V2X becomes widespread, it will provide drivers with crucial information about unseen hazards. Even without smart intersection technology, V2X will allow drivers to detect other vehicles, motorcyclists, or cyclists near intersections, offering a new level of awareness. Just as drivers value backup cameras for providing visibility that would otherwise be impossible, they will appreciate V2X technology for revealing hidden information around corners that would otherwise remain undetected.

Unlike many safety features, which OEMs only include when mandated due to low perceived value, V2X is different. Customers will recognize its unique benefits, and OEMs can expect a positive return on investment as more drivers experience its advantages. The cost-effectiveness of a V2X solution further supports this. It all suggests that OEMs should adopt V2X technology even before mandates are in place. It’s a true win-win situation.

[1] https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-tech-experience-index-txi-study

[2] https://www.its.dot.gov/research_areas/emerging_tech/pdf/Accelerate_V2X_Deployment_final.pdf

The post Vehicle Owners Would Love to Get V2X first appeared on Autotalks.

Autotalks, a pioneer in V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication solutions, is launching a new integration-ready micromobility product line, aimed at protecting Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) by integrating them into the V2X safety network. This product range is set to significantly reduce bike and scooter accidents by fostering mutual awareness between drivers and cyclists, addressing the critical issue that 75% of bike and scooter accidents are caused by drivers not noticing cyclists.

TEKTON3-BIKE is a fully integrated 3rd generation System on Chip (SoC) meticulously crafted for e-bikes and e-scooters, tailored to address the unique challenges they face on the road. As a micromobility-specific adaptation of the company’s flagship TEKTON3-AUTO chipset, this comprehensive V2X solution is designed to bolster cyclist safety by mitigating the most prevalent accident scenarios, particularly at intersections and bustling urban environments.

The product offers a wide range of key features, catering to bike manufacturers seeking to outfit their bikes with the most advanced collision prevention technology while minimizing development effort and cost. These features include built-in V2X firmware, specifically dedicated to micromobility safety use cases, such as “Intersection Collision Warning” (ICW) and “Rear Collision Warning” (RCW), with customization and expansion capabilities, comprehensive security, and global compatibility.

Building on the foundation of the TEKTON3-BIKE chipset, Autotalks is introducing ZooZ3, a 3rd generation V2X bicycle safety device designed for effortless installation on handlebars. ZooZ3 functions as a reference platform for micromobility, targeting large-scale pilots, and promptly alerting cyclists when they are in danger. With easy installation, the device brings V2X capabilities to any bicycle or scooter. Furthermore, customers can make use of Autotalks’ ZooZ App for smartphones. Cyclists will be able to receive real-time alerts from the bike V2X system on their screens, enabling them to respond swiftly to potential road hazards. The app’s user-friendly interface can serve as a model for safety user interfaces for bike computers integrating V2X. The V2X functionality itself is not intended for smartphones, but rather for specialized cycling devices equipped with the necessary hardware and software.

“We are delighted to introduce our solutions for micromobility based on our 3rd generation chipset,” said Hagai Zyss, CEO of Autotalks. “The vision of zero accidents can only be achieved by safeguarding cyclists and other vulnerable road users. This is why we have dedicated ourselves to integrating them into the V2X network and developed this integration-ready product line, which meets all the needs of cyclists at an attractive price point, ensuring that every cyclist can benefit from this superior protection on the road.”

The post Autotalks Launches New V2X Product Line for Cyclists and E-Scooter Riders first appeared on Autotalks.

Keysight delivers combined security and functional testing expertise

Keysight’s ongoing collaboration with innovative automotive vendors paves the way for future security standards compliance

SANTA ROSA, Calif., September 13, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) announces that its device security research lab, Riscure Security Solutions, has successfully worked with Autotalks to test the security of a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication solution under the Common Criteria certification program. This achievement marks the first V2X chipset with an embedded hardware security module to receive Common Criteria certification.

Read more on Yahoo Finance

The post Keysight and Autotalks Advance Vehicle-to-Everything Automotive Security with Standard-Influencing Security Evaluation first appeared on Autotalks.

V2X is designed for real-time safety by ensuring the integrity of the wireless connectivity, the authenticity of the messages and the accuracy and freshness of the information.

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication is a vehicular sensor that collects data from nearby road users by exchanging wireless information to prevent accidents that no other sensor can detect, specifically risks from hidden road users located around the corner or behind another vehicle. V2X is designed for real-time safety by ensuring the integrity of the wireless connectivity, the authenticity of the messages and the accuracy and freshness of the information.

The V2X system is illustrated with the relevant elements in the vehicle architecture. Although there are slight variations, the core concept of a V2X system remains the same for all road users, including trucks, cars, motorcycles and eBikes.

Read more on EE Times Europe

The post The Essentials of a V2X System first appeared on Autotalks.

Keysight vehicle-to-everything test solution enabled rigorous physical layer testing ensuring reliable, interference-free communications

SANTA ROSA, Calif., August 06, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) enabled the first 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 16 (Rel-16) sidelink radio interoperability test between the Ettifos SIRIUS 5G-V2X sidelink platform and the Autotalks SECTON3 5G-V2X chipset through the Keysight PathWave Signal Generation for NR-V2X and X-app for 5G NR V2X Modulation Analysis Measurement Application.

Read more on Yahoo Finance

The post Keysight, Ettifos, and Autotalks Make First 3GPP Release 16 Sidelink Radio Interoperability Connection first appeared on Autotalks.

Vehicle communication with V2X holds the promise to improve driver safety and comfort. There are two main approaches: Vehicle-to-everything communication (V2X), which uses a dedicated channel to directly exchange information between nearby road users, without involving the cellular network, and network communication, also known as V2N2X, which uses the cellular network to exchange information via multiple clouds. Hybrid communication combines both V2X and network communication.

Read more on EE News Automotive

The post What is the right vehicle communication technology for safety? first appeared on Autotalks.

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication makes it possible for vehicles to communicate with one another and with the environment. This technology is revolutionizing road safety by enabling drivers to know about dangers ahead without visibility.

On this front, a draft USDOT (U.S. Dept. of Transportation) V2X deployment plan is focused on signalized intersection deployment. These intersections operate with the assistance of a traffic signal, and they cyclically assign the right-of-way to a movement or combination of movements. As suggested by the ITS America deployment plan, signalized intersections provide a foundation for V2X deployment, including poles, power, electronics cabinets, and, in many cases, backhaul communications.

Read the article on Electronic Design

The post Navigating the Road to Safer Intersections: What’s the Impact of V2X Infrastructure? first appeared on Autotalks.

According to NHTSA, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,308 people in the US in 2022[1]. In addition, 421,000 injuries were recorded. Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as texting (which is the most prolonged distraction), eating and drinking, talking to passengers, or adjusting vehicle controls.

Driving distractions can be detected by the Driver Monitoring System (DMS), which began receiving 2 Safety Assist points in EuroNCAP grading in 2023[2]. This incentivizes the adoption of DMS in new vehicle models.

Driver distraction slows reaction time by up to 46% when driving while using a phone[3]. A DMS can alert Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to driver distraction, allowing for adjustments in operation to accommodate a longer reaction time. For instance, if a driver needs 2.5 seconds to react to a risk, a distracted driver might need 4 seconds, requiring an earlier warning.

However, early warnings are less reliable due to uncertainties in vehicle movement and potential driver actions. This is where Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication excels by enhancing warning reliability through:

• Extended detection range: V2X can detect and analyze risks from hundreds of meters away, providing precise road user parameters without the need for complex perception algorithms. In contrast, the reliable operation range of existing vehicular sensors is limited to tens of meters.
• Accurate data: V2X offers detailed kinematics data, including acceleration, heading, and yaw rate (road user’s angular velocity), enabling more confident calculations of future road user locations. These parameters are not obtainable with current vehicular sensors. For two-wheelers, even basic speed and heading measurements are imprecise with existing sensors, highlighting the significant advantage of V2X’s accurate data.
• Detection of obstructed road users: V2X can identify hidden road users, providing early warnings for potential risks, such as those emerging from obstructed intersections, before becoming visible to the existing vehicular sensors.

The necessity for a distracted driver to regain control of the vehicle parallels the requirements for automated driving disengagement. Thus, early indications are crucial, and V2X can aid in detecting complex disengagement scenarios in advance.

Despite efforts in education and enforcement, the rate of fatalities due to driver distraction has not decreased over the past decade. While DMS detection can offer some improvement, some drivers will inevitably remain distracted. For these drivers, V2X can deliver earlier and more reliable warnings, helping them to refocus on potential hazards and protect both themselves and others.

[1] https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

[2] https://cdn.euroncap.com/media/70315/euro-ncap-assessment-protocol-sa-safe-driving-v101.pdf

[3] agilerates.com/advice/auto/texting-and-driving-statistics/   

The post How can V2X help with distracted driving? first appeared on Autotalks.

The arrival of our 3rd generation V2X technology presented a couple of ‘firsts’: The first 5G-V2X chipset, and the first integration of a V2X stack and applications. These called for a new high quality testing tool to allow customers to test this cutting-edge technology and realize its opportunities. This led us to develop a new Android tablet application tailored to our new SECTON3 and TEKTON3 chips, for operating our 3rd generation Field Test Kit (FTK). This blog post will take you through our journey, revealing the vision, process, challenges encountered, and valuable insights gained along the way.

Initial Vision and Audience:

The Android tablet application’s primary purpose is to empower customers working with our advanced V2X chip to easily benchmark the radio and different applications. The user-friendly interface simplifies the chip operation and visualizes its performance.

We identified the following essential use cases:

• Communication Range Tests: Testing various installation setups and communication parameters and schemes, with dual-channel operation for the latest 5G-V2X and DSRC (ITS-G5) or LTE-V2X.
• Message-Layer Interoperability Testing with Other Vendors: offering a comprehensive overview of all devices in multi-vendor events, including key metrics like radio technology, distance, and reception levels, with drilling down into each device detailed summaries.
• Real-World Traffic Scenario Demonstrations: allowing to showcase the capabilities of our integrated V2X software stack and safety applications, highlighting the driver experience and the system’s responsiveness.

Due to the technical nature of the app and the large amount of data involved, our design vision was a minimalistic app with a guiding principle of “The more important the data, the more salient it should be”. Following Autotalks’ color palette with a pastel twist, muted colors were chosen for backgrounds to allow brighter colors such as “Active Green”, “Warning Red” and Autotalks’ “Connectivity Orange” to shine through and highlight important information.
Designed for field test usage, the guiding principles were ease of use & navigation and accidental click minimization. In practice, these led to bigger spacing between data fields, enhanced button size and icon usage.

The heart of the app: The map view

The core feature of the app is the Map View, which dominates the interface and provides an intuitive real-time overview of detected devices

Devices are displayed with real-time location using distinctive icons (e.g., vehicle, bicycle). Critical events and alerts are highlighted above device icons, with alerts using fitting symbols and critical events marked in red for emphasis. Tapping on a device icon reveals detailed information, including radio characteristics and transmitted data, which appears in a side panel while the map remains visible. An orange marker highlights the selected device to ensure accurate data association.

This Map View effectively addresses several of the key use cases we identified:

• Communication Range Testing: Visualizing detected devices on a map helps assess road topology impact on range.
• Inter-vendor Experiments: Displaying and interacting with multiple devices simplifies testing and comparison with other solutions.
• Traffic Scenario Demonstrations: Triggering real-time hazards and visualizing V2X applications reactions.

Range test 

This unique view is optimized for testing the V2X communication range between the self and up to two other devices. Each device can operate using different V2X technology, leveraging Autotalks dual-channel capabilities. 

Range test mode includes a side panel displaying measurements clearly and compactly, while the map stays visible. Distance and Packet Error Rate (PER) measurements are emphasized with graphic indicators. Devices are numbered as the radio channels for simple device correlation. To avoid accidental presses during a field test, buttons for other modes are hidden, but settings and the recording button remain accessible.

Devices table

Sometimes the map doesn’t provide the full picture. The Devices Table complements it with a detailed overview of the received devices, allowing engineers to confirm overall operation at a glance.

Here, the side menu shows the key parameters table for each received device, along with the total number of devices received and the measured Channel Busy Ratio (CBR). Devices are numbered with their table row for easy correlation, and tapping a device on the map highlights its data in the table.

Events Trigger

V2X data includes vehicle events, status, and road conditions. A special mode allows users to simulate events, such as “Hard Braking” at the tap of a button to avoid emergency braking (or any other dangerous maneuver).  

This mode keeps the map visible to show real-time actions feedback while preventing accidental clicks with buttons that darken when activated.

Driver HMI

The final mode of LookApp is its crown jewel. While maps with icons are useful for testing, Driver HMI mode simulates how V2X systems will appear to drivers in the future. This creates a valuable benchmarking experience of the TEKTON3 stack and its applications for OEMs. The minimalist view keeps drivers’ attention on the road, showing only intuitive notifications when needed.

This animated road view is synced to the device’s speed to confirm real-time operation. Intuitive notifications pop up in bold red, along with a warning sound, to capture the driver’s attention. The side panel displays essential data with color indicators for quick status checks. Signal buttons trigger turn-related safety applications, simulating real-world use.

The Driver HMI mode effectively showcases Traffic Scenario Demonstrations, highlighting the V2X system driver’s experience and responsiveness, while giving a glimpse into the future, where every car is enhanced with the power of V2X.

We are very excited about our 3rd generation V2X technology and its potential to change the world and save lives. This app is just one of the tools to fulfill this potential. We are committed to continuous improvement and future updates to further enhance the experience. Stay tuned!

The post LookApp: a Brand New App for Our Brand New Chip first appeared on Autotalks.

In the US alone, one person dies every 39 minutes due to drunk-driving crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths.[1] That’s a 16% increase from the 2020 statistics which show that 11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. This accounts for over 30% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. This staggering statistic highlights the urgent need for a solution.  Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication might very well be the answer. It can give drivers, sober or drunk, the much needed extra time to react to road dangers.

V2X can mitigate drunk driving accidents by helping detect drunk drivers and alerting the surrounding road users. Additionally, it can help give impaired drivers warnings of upcoming potential dangers, allowing them more time to reacts.

Drunk Driver detection

V2X technology has its ability to detect erratic driving behavior, which is often indicative of impaired driving. V2X-equipped vehicles can monitor speed, lane positioning, trajectory and other driving behavior in real time. If a vehicle exhibits signs of reckless driving, such as swerving between lanes, constant hard braking or speeding, the V2X system can alert nearby drivers. Giving surrounding drivers those extra few seconds to react to a drunk driver, can often be the differentiating factor between an accident or a smooth ride. The surrounding drivers can take the time to slow downand wait before entering an intersection in order to let the dangerous driver pass, or even avert the danger by simply changing lanes.

V2X can help the impaired driver

Unfortunately, V2X cannot prevent someone who has been drinking to get behind the wheel, but it might help reduce the risk of crashing. Drinking alcohol can severely impact driving abilities. It leads to slower reaction times, impaired coordination, and decreased concentration.

A slower reaction time is one of the most common early effects of drinking alcohol. Often, people who drink might not feel “drunk”, but they are slower to respond to everything around them. For instance, drivers with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08%—the legal limit in the United States—experience an average decrease in reaction time of about 120 milliseconds. This delay translates to an additional 12 feet of travel at 70 mph before reacting to a hazard.[2]

A recent Virginia Tech study, funded by the USDOT, showed that on average, V2X detects road dangers 0.5 seconds before any line-of-sight sensor.[3] This means that an impaired driver using a V2X equipped car would receive warnings a half a second earlier than they would with even the most reliable sensor. This is a significant improvement, especially compared to drivers without any sensors, who might not perceive the danger until much later. Statistics show that even an additional 0.5 seconds to react can make a crucial difference in preventing accidents.

V2X is needed

Approximately 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers with a BAC of 0.08 g/dL or higher.[4]  The statistics underscore the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat the devastating impact of drunk driving. V2X technology offers a promising solution to mitigate accidents in general including drunk driving accidents. As V2X technology continues to evolve and become more widely adopted, it promises to create safer roads and save countless lives. Embracing this technology, alongside ongoing efforts to promote responsible driving behavior, is a critical step toward a future where drunk driving accidents become a rarity.

[1] https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving

[2] https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/how-alcohol-impairs-your-ability-drive

[3] https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/2/484

[4] https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-alcohol-impaired-driving

The post Can V2X Mitigate Drunk Driving Accidents? first appeared on Autotalks.