MARKET REPORT |
Above: 5G will be
a key enabler for
connected vehicles
– and it will be
huge globally
The chain gang
Blockchain has emerged as another vital
technology keep the massive amounts of
connected data safe from hackers. Blockchain
allows decentralized storage and each
transaction is transparent to every participant.
The automotive industry recognizes the
importance of blockchain and 36 companies,
including BMW, GM and Renault, recently
formed the Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative
(MOBI) to develop shared standards. Important
use cases for blockchain include the eWallet for
automatic payments and Car CV, which stores
documentation securely. Other possibilities
include creating a mobility ecosystem, storing
behavioral data to inform personalized
insurance offers and protecting vehicles from
2023 The year by which China
is aiming to achieve
national coverage of 5G EXPECTED 5G CONNECTIONS BY THE END OF 2025
500
400
300
200
100
0
024 Intertraffic World | Annual Showcase 2020
China
430m
Europe
203m
USA
190m
cyberattacks. Despite its efforts so far, the
industry needs to take blockchain more
seriously, the authors argue. Greater investment
for smart contracts and payments will increase
customer confidence.
Connectivity between vehicles depends on
real-time transfers of data, and 5G increasingly
looks like it will be the most effective technology.
The authors believe 5G is ‘revolutionary’ because
it provides broadband access with low latencies,
high reliability, as well as high speeds for
downloading and uploading of up to 10GBit/s,
which is up to 100 times faster than 4G. “5G
enables a whole range of connected vehicle
services that customers will value and pay for,
and is probably the single biggest technology
enabler for connected vehicles trends,” the
authors say.
Once again, China is likely to be at the heart
of future developments. Planned investments
aim to achieve national coverage of 5G by 2023
and there is a determination there to lead on
standards. Although China is currently behind
Europe and the US, it will lead adoption in the
future. As well as availability, another indication
of rising demand is the number of 5G connections
between devices. Once again, China will take
the lead. It is expected to have 430 million 5G
connections by the end of 2025, compared with
190 million in the US and 203 million in Europe,
the report says.
Advancing in Europe
In Europe, the 5G Automotive Association
(5GAA) comprising of Audi, BMW, Daimler and
others, was set up to advance the cause of 5G.
There are initiatives in most major markets, such
as Huawei and Audi’s Smart City Wuxi, which
uses real-time traffic management information
based on cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X).