Breakthrough demonstration of Cellular-V2X technology in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, June 26, 2017 – The Smart Mobility Consortium (SMC) has demonstrated for the first time in Hong Kong the use of Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology for connected cars.

Using C-V2X technology, cars may communicate with one another, pedestrians, and roadside infrastructure to enhance road safety and deliver a better driving experience. With the collective efforts of SMC members including Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), HKT and Huawei, the C-V2X live demo took place today at Hong Kong Science Park during the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Asia-Pacific Forum 2017.

As a critical low-latency application towards 5G, the C-V2X technology enables vehicles to have a tactile exchange of information with other vehicles, pedestrians, and network infrastructure – bringing significant enhancements to driving assistance, traffic management and road safety for vehicles and pedestrians. The demonstration ran on HKT’s C-V2X trial network, with frequency bands 2.6GHz for Vehicle-To-Infrastructure (V2I) communications and 5.9GHz for Vehicle-To-Vehicle (V2V) communications.

Guests at the ITS Asia-Pacific Forum 2017 witnessed the demonstration on a regular vehicle fitted with C-V2X technology. It involved multiple scenarios of how connected vehicles can enhance road safety through:

  • V2V Do Not Pass Warning (DNPW) – DNPW warns the driver when a vehicle cannot safely cross to the opposite side of traffic to overtake another vehicle because of oncoming traffic.
  • V2P Vulnerable Road User (VRU) – In a non-line-of-sight situation, the vehicle can detect pedestrians’ presence in a ‘danger zone’ and alert the driver with ‘Pedestrian Crossing Warning’.
  • V2V Blind Spot Warning / Lane Change Warning – The host vehicle driver can be warned whenever another vehicle on the adjacent lane is in a blind spot of the host vehicle.
  • V2I Forward Collison (Emergency Stop) – Alerts can be sent to other vehicle drivers in the vicinity via a roadside unit in case the host vehicle has to make an emergency stop.
  • V2I Intersection Collision Warning – A warning will be issued when two vehicles are approaching the intersection point out of the V2V communications coverage or in a non-line-of-sight condition.

 

Dr Frank Tong Fuk-kay, CEO of ASTRI, highlighted the Institute’s contributions to building a “connected car ecosystem for Hong Kong”, and said, “We pursue R&D in both software and hardware aspects including C-V2X network, management system, algorithm design, and related infrastructure.” Dr Tong added, “We seek to implement a comprehensive smart mobility system for Hong Kong, and to support the Government’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) strategy. As one of the largest Government-funded R&D institutions, we hope the experience and innovation from this project can also help other cities in this region, particularly in the South China Greater Bay Area.”

Mr Alex Arena, Group Managing Director of HKT, said, “Three months ago, we shook hands and signed the MoU to establish the Smart Mobility Consortium. Today, we are working hand-in-hand to bring the first demonstration of C-V2X technology for pushing safe mobility in Hong Kong. The demonstration shows how C-V2X alerts drivers to dangers under different use cases on the road and emergency traffic conditions, which will make the roads safer and Hong Kong a better city to live in. Being the mobile network technology leader in Hong Kong, HKT will continue to push and realise C-V2X technology & applications, in support of the Government’s Smart City vision and strategy.”

Mr Veni Shone, President of TDD Product Line and Acting President of Cellular V2X Solutions, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., said, “Together with our partners in the Smart Mobility Consortium, we have taken a big step forward by bringing you the first demonstration of the Cellular V2X technology. We aim to embrace the new technology to achieve safer, more efficient, comfortable, reliable, and eco-friendly transportation services that benefit riders and road users. With our long history of successful joint innovation, Huawei is very pleased to pioneer the Cellular V2X solution development to serve the needs of the future intelligent transport system.”

A collective effort of three organisations, the SMC has successfully conducted this ground-breaking demonstration in Hong Kong. The SMC will continue to work alongside the Government, automobile industry, and other relevant industry stakeholders to push C-V2X commercialization. Upon successful completion and rollout, the project is expected to lead to further opportunities for related sectors including shipment, ridesharing, home-delivery, insurance, infotainment, and mobile healthcare, etc.

The Smart Mobility Consortium (SMC) has demonstrated for the first time in Hong Kong the use of Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology for connected cars

About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness in technology-based industries through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competencies in various areas are organised under seven Technology Divisions, namely Communications Technologies, Electronics Components, Mixed Signal Systems IC, Advanced Digital Systems, Opto-electronics, Security and Data Sciences, and Intelligent Software and Systems. Five areas of applications including financial technologies, intelligent manufacturing, next generation network, health technology, and smart city are identified for major pursuit. Please visit www.astri.org for further information about us.

About HKT

HKT (SEHK: 6823) is Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider and leading operator in fixed-line, broadband and mobile communication services. It meets the needs of the Hong Kong public and local and international businesses with a wide range of services including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, and other telecommunications businesses such as customer premises equipment sales, outsourcing, consulting, and contact centers.

HKT offers a unique quadruple-play experience in Hong Kong delivering media content on its fixed-line, broadband Internet access and mobile platforms jointly with its parent company, PCCW Limited.

HKT also provides a range of innovative and smart living services beyond connectivity to make the daily lives of customers more convenient, whether they are at home, in the workplace, or on the go.

For more information, please visit www.hkt.com.

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global ICT solutions provider. As a responsible and robust business player, innovative information society enabler, and cooperative industry contributor, Huawei is committed to building a Better Connected World. Through our dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, we have established end-to-end capabilities and strengths across carrier, enterprise, consumer, and cloud computing domains. Huawei’s 180,000 employees worldwide create maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers. Our innovative ICT solutions, products and services have been deployed in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than one-third of the world’s population. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company that is fully owned by its employees. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com.

For more information, please contact:

Eunice Cheng
ASTRI
Tel:     +852 34062517
Email: [email protected]
Stella Wong
HKT
Tel:     +852 2888 2253
Email: [email protected]
Fiona Cheuk
Huawei
Tel:     +852 2125 3509
Email: [email protected]