Skip to main content

German test centre invests in 5G technology for autonomous vehicle testing

The German division of UK telecommunications firm Vodafone is equipping the Aldenhoven Testing Center (ATC) test track in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany with the latest 5G network technology to enable the ATC to test autonomous vehicle concepts such as autonomous braking. ATC says the technology will transfer data volumes of up to ten gigabits per second with latencies of less than ten milliseconds as LTE successors.
September 4, 2017 Read time: 1 min

The German division of UK telecommunications firm 813 Vodafone is equipping the Aldenhoven Testing Center (ATC) test track in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany with the latest 5G network technology to enable the ATC to test autonomous vehicle concepts such as autonomous braking.

ATC says the technology will transfer data volumes of up to ten gigabits per second with latencies of less than ten milliseconds as LTE successors. This is the technological basis for communicating cars with pedestrians and the entire traffic infrastructure, such as traffic lights. The ATC is also home to GALILEO test environment for the future European navigation system.

According to Prime Minister Armin Laschet, Digitization is a priority for the state government and it plans to invest US$8 billion (€7 billion) for digital change and develop a 5G strategy together with business and science.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Why integrated traffic management needs a cohesive approach
    April 10, 2012
    Traffic control is increasingly being viewed as one essential element of a wider ‘system of systems’ – the smart city. Jason Barnes, Jon Masters and David Crawford report on latest ideas and efforts for making cities ‘smarter’ Virtually every element of the fabric and utilitarian operations that make urban areas tick can now be found somewhere in the mix that is the ‘smart city’ agenda. Ideas have expanded and projects pursued in different directions as the rhetoric on making cities ‘smarter’ has grown. App
  • Vehicle probe data aids emergency rescue vehicle routing
    June 20, 2012
    A new vehicle routeing initiative has arisen to help improve emergency response and relief following natural disasters in Japan. David Crawford reports Japan’s national ITS group ITS Japan and the country’s leading automotives have agreed on a new combined approach to the organisation of traffic management and emergency response in the wake of major natural disasters. A new, robust traffic information platform using probe data obtained from vehicles to support traffic flow will build on the shared experienc
  • Ford targets fully autonomous vehicle in 2021
    August 17, 2016
    Ford has announced its intention to have a high-volume, fully autonomous vehicle in commercial operation in 2021. The new vehicle will be a Society of Automotive Engineers-rated level 4-capable vehicle without a steering wheel or gas and brake pedals. It is being specifically designed for commercial mobility services, such as ride sharing and ride hailing, and will be available in high volumes. SAE level 4 is one level below full automation and is defined as ‘mode-specific performance by an automated
  • C-ITS in Europe: From vision to reality
    September 18, 2024
    While improved safety is the main aim of Europe’s emerging C-ITS network, it is not the only one. Lessons are being learned and functionality is expanding. Andrew Stone reports on progress…