To move toward the world of V2X, it is essential for China to allocate the spectrum for intelligent connected vehicles. Leveraging the development of connected vehicle systems based on DSRC in other markets will save time and money in China.

—GM Global R&D Electrical & Controls Research Technical Fellow Dr. Hariharan Krishnan

Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) and V2X technologies are important because they can enhance driver safety. Initially, they can enable new types of driver assist applications that notify drivers of traffic events that may occur beyond their line of sight. For example, potential applications could detect a vehicle ahead that unexpectedly brakes hard or encounters a hazardous road condition such as black ice or a severe pothole.

As more vehicles and more infrastructure gradually become equipped with the technology, it has the potential to perform or supplement active safety features to help avoid crashes.

One technology that can significantly reduce crashes is DSRC, which allows vehicles to communicate with each other. GM has been collaborating with other companies and organizations for more than a decade to help establish DSRC standards, which are now ready for adoption for V2X/V2V technologies.

According to Krishnan, GM is looking forward to bringing its latest research and development achievements in V2X technology to China and to helping find the best solution for the country in terms of time and cost.

With the dedicated spectrum allocated by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1999, DSRC technology provides the advantages of fast network acquisition, low latency, high reliability, priority for safety applications, interoperability, and security and privacy.

Mature DSRC standards, which are all royalty free, have now been developed in the United States and Europe. Together with GPS, DSRC technology can accurately determine the location and movement of other vehicles within 300 meters.

The establishment of common standards and a security framework will enable vehicles from different automakers to communicate and connect with each other in a consistent manner.

V2X—which includes V2V, vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle to pedestrian (V2P)—represents one of GM’s most promising solutions for addressing safety, mobility and environmental challenges. GM will bring this technology to market with the 2017 Cadillac CTS.