We live in a world where technology rules. From smartphones to cars, tech is everywhere, and it’s advancing with time. One of the most advanced technologies that have recently drawn attention is the 5G service and its introduction in the automobile industry. If you are also curious about it, read on to know how the 5G service is coming to more cars, what drivers can expect, and when.
Everything You Need to Know About 5G
Before we proceed, we would like you to
know key facts about 5G so that you can understand it better and maybe
appreciate it more.
Ø 5G is Quite Fast
5G technology is about 100 times faster
than 4G. So, any piece of data you download from 4G can be downloaded 100 times
over a 5G network. This speed is vital for a connected car because much data
would need to be shared. According to Dr. Joy Laskar, CTO of Maja Systems,
future autonomous cars will generate nearly two petabits of data, around 2
million gigabits. “With an advanced Wi-Fi connection, it will take 230 days to
transfer a week-worth of data from a self-driving car,” Laskar said. With 5G,
that time will go to just two days, from 230 days.
Ø Lower latency
5G also means low latency as in a matter of
milliseconds. For those unaware, latency is the time it takes to send
information from one point to another. The 4G network has a latency of 20
milliseconds, while the 5G network has a latency of just 1-5. This is wonderful
for humans whose reaction speed is more than 200 milliseconds (as it leads to
accidents every day.) With 5G, those accidents might be avoided.
Ø Increased Reliability
5G technology is also a safe bet for the
future where autonomous
cars might be allowed in dense urban and high-speed scenarios. 5G cellular
technology is designed for ultra-reliable communication with low latency to
enable complex machine-centric use cases. The day humans have a fully
autonomous transport eco-system, 5G will play a key role in maximizing safety,
efficiency, and sustainability.
Ø Manufacturing Made Simpler
5G can also make car manufacturing easier
thanks to secure and almost real-time connectivity, resulting in transformative
productivity, speed, and efficiency improvements.
When to Expect 5G in Cars? It’s Already
Here!
5G cars are not the future; it is already
here. A few weeks back, BMW launched the 2022
BMW iX xDrive50, the first 5G-equipped car powered by T-Mobile’s new
Magenta Drive service. The service will cost $20/month and provide high-speed
connectivity to the car for call and data services. It also powers an internal
Wi-Fi hotspot that can support up to 10 devices in and around the car.
The Limitation
The 5G technology will not enable
autonomous driving features as of now. At this time, it is not safe or
practical to expect a cellular connection to control car operation regularly,
no matter how good car manufacturers or wireless carriers are.
Sources:
https://www.ericsson.com/en/5g/5-things-to-know-about-5g-if-you-work-in-the-auto-industry
https://biz.crast.net/5g-service-is-coming-for-more-cars-what-can-drivers-expect-and-when/
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/5g-coming-more-cars-drivers-120006537.html