Audi AG and Verizon Business have announced a partnership to build a highly customized private 5G network and tech-testing environment at Audi’s automotive test track in Neustadt, Germany. The network will enable Audi and other Volkswagen Group brands to test and develop smart vehicle technologies under various network conditions.
A multi-core network that replicates global connectivity environments
The private 5G network will use multiple cores, radio frequencies, and network technologies to replicate connectivity environments found across the world. The network will include custom-built replicas of Verizon’s U.S. public network, local European networks, and the roaming network of Audi’s MVNO partner in Asia-Pacific. This will allow Audi to test how its connected technology performs on public roads in different geographies and markets.
The network will also feature a dual 5G and LTE Modular Private Wireless platform from Nokia, private multi-access edge-compute (MEC) capability from Amazon Web Services, real-time video and data transmission technology from Smart Mobile Labs, cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communication, and mobile and automotive applications spanning voice, data, autonomous mobility, safety, and more.
A competitive advantage for Audi in the global market
The partnership between Audi and Verizon Business aims to give Audi a competitive advantage in the global market by streamlining its multi-territory R&D test cycle, better replicating driver and passenger experiences around the world, and providing access to the latest network and application technology.
“Our needs for this test track were complex and multi-dimensional, encompassing many technologies, geographic network conditions, and industry trends. Verizon Business was the only partner that could meet our needs with a single, comprehensive solution,” said Dr. Thomas Müller, Head of Development Electrics/Electronics, CarIT, Audi AG.
“Increasingly, vehicles are not just about transportation but a means of communication, entertainment, education, and work—effectively, rolling cell phones and high-powered computers,” said TJ Fox, SVP of IIoT and Automotive, Verizon Business. “That means the vehicle of the future will be packed with technology that needs to work under many different sets of network conditions, and Audi and Verizon Business are solving for those needs with this state-of-the-art facility.”
A showcase of 5G and MEC capabilities for the automotive industry
The private 5G network and tech-testing environment at Audi’s test track is also a showcase of how 5G and MEC can enable new possibilities for the automotive industry. 5G can provide ultra-low latency, high bandwidth, and reliable connectivity for smart vehicles, while MEC can bring cloud computing closer to the edge, enabling faster and more secure data processing and analytics.
Some of the use cases that 5G and MEC can enable for the automotive industry include:
- Enhanced driver safety and assistance features, such as collision avoidance, lane keeping, and adaptive cruise control
- Improved vehicle performance and efficiency, such as predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics, and over-the-air updates
- Seamless and personalized in-vehicle experiences, such as infotainment, navigation, and digital assistants
- Advanced autonomous driving capabilities, such as vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, real-time mapping, and sensor fusion
The private 5G network and tech-testing environment at Audi’s test track are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024.
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