Volvo Cars Set To Talk To Each Other

Swedish carmaker Volvo has its own mantra of developing cars: put passenger safety at the top of its car designing philosophy. Another safety-related tech that the carmaker will equip its top-model cars by the end of 2016 is car-to-car communication. Once introduced, Volvo will be the third automaker to offer such a technology. German car firm Mercedes-Benz and Japanese carmaker Toyota already have similar tech on offer.

Volvo shared the details of this technology during the launch of its V90 Cross Country car, which is one of the models that will have car-to-car communication. The set-up allows vehicles to exchange information, giving the driver advanced warning about road conditions and obstacles further ahead. The Swedish carmaker will equip all vehicles in the 90 series -- S90, V90 and XC90 -- by the end of this year, in Europe.

Volvo’s tech, which is co-developed with Swedish telecom company Ericsson, is a cloud-based system which helps the company analyse the information to enhance the user experience further. In its current form, cars will be able to send and receive warnings on slick roads and other hazards. An Internet connection is required for the system to work.

While Mercedes and Volvo’s technology works on the same lines, Toyota’s tech goes one step ahead. Debuted in the Crown sedan last year in Japan, the car is fitted with an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) which helps it to communicate with other cars that have the same technology on board, and with transport infrastructure as well. This link with the infrastructure systems allows it to receive warnings sent by emergency vehicles over a specific radio frequency, and get information about traffic light systems.

Many other companies are working to develop similar technologies around the globe. Audi is testing its vehicle-to-infrastructure technology in so-called ‘smart cities -- a list that includes Las Vegas and Seattle. Similarly, Cadillac aims to launch its version of car-to-car communication in some of its models in 2017. Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover will soon commence its real-time testing of car-to-car systems, both in the UK and the US.