Connected Vehicles at the Cross-Roads: what is needed for success?

At the Geneva International Motor Show yesterday, next to the exhibition halls showing off car manufacturers' latest creations, industry experts and UN representatives gathered to discuss how they will fast-forward the automotive industry -- and the world -- into the future. The Symposium on the Future Networked Car (FNC-2018), convened by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), revealed how the automotive industry has been leveraging recent advances in information and communication technologies (ICT) to make transport systems safer, greener, and more intelligent. Participants highlighted the opportunities to be seized and challenges to be overcome for success. Curtis Hay, Technical Fellow at General Motors, described the recently launched Cadillac Super Cruise, which provides a hands-free driving experience. "We need more standards, and the worldwide use of harmonized standards. Connected cars need a lot of power so new standards for 5G can be the basis for connected vehicle standards"–Christoph Nolte, DEKRA A driver just needs to drive the car into a highway lane and, at the right time, push a button and let go, explained Hays, adding that the car performs breaking and collision avoidance.