Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation has developed a technology that instantly analyzes data collected from tens of millions of connected cars, aiming to put it into practical use from April 2023 at the earliest.
The speedy sharing of road information such as traffic jams and accidents transmitted by automobiles enables safe and efficient driving, and is expected to become the foundation for the spread of autonomous driving.
In a demonstration experiment conducted jointly with Toyota Motor Corporation, NTT has confirmed that data can be processed without problems even when more than 30 million vehicles are connected at the same time.
According to NTT officials, the telecommunications company is in talks with several Japanese automakers about commercializing the technology, leading to the possibility of incorporating it into car navigation systems.
The technology can detect objects on the road via an on-board camera and notify following vehicles in about five seconds.
The system can also identify traffic jams and their causes by lane, so users can direct their cars to less busy lanes.
Constant monitoring of position and road conditions is essential for highly automated driving systems. NTT expects to deploy the technology in overseas markets such as Europe, the United States, and China, where connected cars are being developed.
