twitter Facebook Linkedin acp Contact Us

5G plays a crucial role in the future of AVs, says Gartner

The role of 5G technology is getting popular in autonomous vehicle connectivity. (Image source: mariordo59/Flickr)

With 5G network capability, communications service providers (CSPs) seek to secure future market opportunities with autonomous vehicle (AV) manufacturers in enhancing driver safety and data management, according to Gartner, Inc, a global research and advisory firm

According to Gartner, AV systems are expected to generate a large amount of data, which will allow automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to extract data insights while reducing the provisioning costs.

“CSPs have an opportunity to become strategic partners for OEMs by applying 5G capabilities to address AV OEM data growth,” said Jonathan Davenport, senior research analyst at Gartner.

By 2025, AVs are thought to upload more than one terabyte of vehicle and sensor data to the cloud each month. Therefore, CSPs need to ensure that 5G is included in the design of future vehicles, particularly in the fields of safety and connectivity, noted Davenport.

In addition to it, 5G will also provide AV passengers with high-quality infotainment services, thus enhancing vehicle systems, safety, data analytics and entertainment.

Gartner said that some of the recent incidents involving AVs have underscored the importance of public safety in self-driving cars, highlighting the importance to develop autonomous driving systems that can guarantee a safety performance above that of human drivers.

In order to mitigate the risk of accidental scenarios, some of the industry experts suggested the need of a vehicle-human handover in the AVs which will deactivate the autonomous mode and hand over control to a human driver. “But such a handover is not always possible. One potential solution for these scenarios where a handover to the human driver fails is to use remote pilots. Human pilots can be the recipient of a planned remote handover or help recover an AV that has become stuck,” Davenport explained.

To address this, regulators are looking forward to requiring remote control capabilities from AV OEMs or operators to improve safe operation on public roads.

This is the reason why, the reliability and low latency that 5G networks provide are set to allow human technicians in remote facilities to assess live video feeds and vehicle diagnostics from the AV and take over driving control virtually, said Gartner.

However, 5G is seen to generate some limited benefits for AVs in the next five years. “By design, AVs cannot rely on mobile networks such as 5G for core functionality, but must utilise multiple technologies to meet performance and safety design objectives,” added Davenport.

“Nevertheless, 5G networks will play a crucial role in handling the massive amounts of data generated by AVs and their users for all kinds of purposes, including safety, connectivity and entertainment.”

CSPs need to secure future market opportunities by ensuring that 5G is part of the AV design process. In addition, CSPs also need to build support for their 5G technologies and establish them as the de facto communication standard, to facilitate the development of advanced use cases such as metropolitan traffic management, concluded Davenport.

The Bell team in Richards Bay consists of more than 800 machinists, welders, and assemblers. (Image source: Bell)

GFE Power Product’s extensive range covers generators from 10 kVA up to 3,000 kVA. (Image source: GFE Power Products)

The funding is the largest-ever equity raise in the minigrid industry according to Husk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The initiative will help African contractors participate in annual infrastructure investments. (Image source: Afreximbank)

ITS has evolved into a sophisticated systems approach, providing numerous opportunities to revolutionise road networks. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Invest International’s Lara Muller; Ivory Coast Minister of Finance and Economy, Adam Coulibaly; and Ambassador Designate to Ivory Coast, Jeroen Kelderhuis. (Image source: Invest International)

The Yellow Metal Machine Rental team with some Wacker Neuson equipment. (Image source: Wacker Neuson)

Although displaying resilience, the report warns that African banks remain exposed to physical climate risks due to both sovereign and industry lending. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

WAA and VCMI will seek to establish regulatory frameworks to enable access to high integrity and fair voluntary carbon markets for WAA member countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The parties will also promote the mutual exchange of information and expertise in the field of export credit policies and practices. (Image source: TBD Group)

Inside Condra’s Johannesburg factory: an overhead crane positions an electric motor during assembly of hoist and crab. (Image source: Condra)

IVECO is renewing its entire product range, all at once. (Image source: IVECO)

The MoU was signed alongside the Africa Health Business Symposium. (Image source: Africa CDC)

Both the IMF and EIU expect SSA to rank as the world’s second fastest growing economy in 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

There has been a focus on the sugar industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Evolving concept of energy security must address energy demand, system flexibility, technology access and infrastructure development, says IRENA. (Image source: IRENA)

World Bank & African Development Bank partner to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030, leveraging public-private investments. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

(L-R): Dr Diane Karusisi, CEO, Bank of Kigali and Dr Reda Helal, group managing director – processing, Africa and co-head group processing, Network International. (Image source: Network International)

At WFES, Gotion High-tech will showcase its latest products and leading green energy solutions at its booth. (Image source: Gotion High-tech)

The new Perkins 5012 is a full-authority electronic engine optimised and purpose-built for power generation applications. (Image source: Perkins)

SSAB will begin deliveries of the new products in 2026.

The key issues restricting sub-Saharan Africa’s manufacturing sector will be unpacked at Manufacturing Indaba later this year. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Through the innovative solution, each vessel can fill two tank containers on average between two ports. (Image source: Maersk)

Hyphen is developing sub-Saharan Africa’s largest, most advanced and only fully-vertical integrated green hydrogen project. (Image source: Hyphen)

According to Liebherr, the Used Equipment Marketplace is extremely user-friendly. (Image source: Liebherr)

Electricity storage will be pivotal in unlocking renewable projects and meeting energy demand. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

With RFID, assets can be given unique digital identities that enable users to identify and locate them all at once, from a distance, in real time. (Image source: Brady)

Africa Data Centres and DPA SA have broken ground on their solar farm in the Free State. (Image source: Africa Data Centres)

A Cat PM310 Cold Planer in action. (Image source: Caterpillar)

A larger stockholding of WEG products facilitates ready access for customers. (Image source: WEG Africa)