EC cuts a slice of spectrum for vehicle-to-vehicle communication

It seems that Dash-like devices that rely on plain old GPRS for two-way vehicle communications could one day be a bit redundant in Europe, as the European Commission has just set aside a slice of spectrum that's intended specifically to let vehicles communicate with each other. As with the Dash and other similar devices, the idea here is to give drivers a heads up about traffic jams and other potential hazards, with real-time data provided by other drivers ensuring all that info is as up to date as possible. The system, which will make use of 30MHz of spectrum in the 5.9GHz band, will also apparently allow roadside transmitters to send vital info to vehicles passing by, although exactly when that might happen is, of course, a bit unclear at the moment.

[Via The Register]

[GRoar1 @ Aug 6th 2008 12:10PM]

OMG Teh drafen ballz 'sploded!!!

[PhiPhi @ Aug 6th 2008 12:14PM]

How do you post a comment?

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 6th 2008 12:30PM]

Ya don't.

[fred @ Aug 6th 2008 12:46PM]

Reformat your hard drive.

[phanbouy @ Aug 6th 2008 12:56PM]

after formatting, hold lots of magnets up to your HDD for good chi

[Johan S @ Aug 6th 2008 12:14PM]

I reckon this sort of thing would provide an audible warning to you (and the other car) when some drunk is rapidly approaching a stop sign (how many accidents happen) or approaching a bend too quickly. Or at least it would start the cameras rolling so you can prove an accident wasn't your fault.

I suppose it might involve mounting a radar + radio transmitter on signs.

[Jack C @ Aug 7th 2008 1:45PM]

There's a new idea, discussed here http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=526&doc_id=156444&f_src=flffour , that installs sensors + gps + wireless transmitter to a moving object, from people to cars to dogs, and polls the different sensors for certain parameter. It could be temperature, pollution, traffic, etc.

This idea works with the one presented in the article, and to me, seems like something people would want.

[Sandra @ Aug 6th 2008 12:14PM]

"Traffic obstruction ahead: some yuppy rolled his lexus SUV while talking on his cell phone"

[Bob @ Aug 6th 2008 4:12PM]

Or "Caution: 20 or 30-something moron on crotch rocket driving 70 MPH in a 30 zone, getting ready to run red light. Running from from police officer. Please everyone, open your car doors."

[Nick @ Aug 6th 2008 12:15PM]

Wireless car hacking ... oh sounds like fun.

[Jason @ Aug 6th 2008 12:20PM]

Interesting.. and while its giving you all the useful information, the system has already sent off that speeding ticket you got because the car narced on you to some roadside transciever...

[chroma @ Sep 12th 2008 10:46PM]

My thoughts exactly! This is step 1 of a larger plan, a wolf in sheep's clothing.

[Ignatius @ Aug 6th 2008 1:38PM]

Here's a hint;

Don't speed.

[patsy @ Aug 6th 2008 2:20PM]

If you must be paranoid, be so about something else: this is just a first step in wresting driving control from your altogether. The long term goal is a system of vehicle convoys that packs cars as closely as possible onto highways and freeways in order to optimize existing roads. For this to work, the cars must all be under computer control, thus no driving for you. This will also mean normalized speeds and the end of speeding on freeways.

[Johan S @ Aug 6th 2008 2:51PM]

I agree this won't be good .. but don't go banning technology because of it .. the right way to prevent it is to make it not permissible in court, pass a law based on the 5th amendment (u dont have to bear witness against yourself).

But instead, you're going to try to deny the rest of us technology because you want to speed?

[William @ Aug 6th 2008 2:51PM]

Yes, Normalized Driving at higher Speeds, They have a test track for that in California, and the cars are less than a foot a part traveling at over 80mph.

It just means that I will no longer have to worry about getting into an accident while eating my breakfast and talking on the phone of the way to work in the morning.

[Mycroft @ Aug 6th 2008 3:05PM]

O.k. don't speed, and also don't...

talk on the phone and drive...
eat and drive...
listen to the radio...
talk to passengers...
daydream...
have sex...
anything else...

...since all of the above effectively distract a drive and can lead to reaction times that are comparable to legally innebriated drivers. Further, since any of the above are also grounds for a police stop and ticket, thereby increasing the reveue potential of any state greedy enough (and which one isn't?) I see vast potential in an on board communication system for vehicles that can potentially communicate all said activities directly to law enforcement. With properly registered credit accounts with those authorities, a state could easily reduce costs of revenue collection by eliminating any need for court systems and those pesky due process rights.

A sensor in your car could merely report that as a result of your consuming a latte on the way to work, you failed to notice that you have entered an unmarked reduced speed zone, thereby exceeding the speed limit by five kilometers per hour, and in less than a second you will be found in violation of an unpublished statute which doubles the fine for driving distracted through just such a reduced speed zone, you will then be instantly found in violation of said statute, and the fine of 200 Euro will automatically be deducted from your pre registed bank account. Of course, in six to eight weeks, you will be mailed your appeal right to a hearing before an administrative body in which the normal rules of evidence do not apply, and which the burden of proof will be placed upon you.

Brilliant, EC, well done.

[Toadlet @ Aug 6th 2008 12:46PM]

Right, vital info... "McDonald's - Next Exit"

[Terpy @ Aug 6th 2008 12:53PM]

I've noticed when travelling state side, there is a McDonalds at EVERY exit.

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 6th 2008 1:01PM]

Sometimes vital information is more subtle when you're not looking for a bathroom for the diarrhea emergency brewing in your bowels.

[Dillon @ Aug 6th 2008 12:52PM]

I think this is a really good idea, that is, if no one can hack it. Someone could potentially hack the system so that it says some major road is packed, so that nobody goes there. Then said hacker could have drag races on the cleared road as long as he/she wants.

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 6th 2008 1:02PM]

Oh Dillon, you are much too clever.

[Johan S @ Aug 6th 2008 1:06PM]

Yes until a police officer on that road realizes that the system is telling him it's empty.

Each time it gets hacked it'll get harder and harder to re-hack. Like how there has not been a single network worm (worm i said, not viruses or spyware that rely on user stupidity) for Vista or even XP since SP2.

[corystal @ Aug 6th 2008 4:54PM]

If several cars are talking to each other, any single conflicting message would likely be ignored and not passed through the system. The hacker would have to figure out how to produce a bunch of "phantom" cars that appear to be transmitting for several locations... but come on... hackers aren't that smart.