SINGAPORE (Sept 27): A group of German car makers will be pooling ideas and resources with some of the largest names in technology and networking to form the 5G Automotive Association.

It will come up with technological standards riding on next-generation, fifth generation mobile networks that is seen to connect vehicles and not just humans.

Comprising AUDI AG, BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ericsson, Huawei, Intel, Nokia and Qualcomm, the association will be looking at developing applications such as connected automated driving, ubiquitous access to services, and integration into smart cities and intelligent transportation.

The association will develop, test and promote communications solutions, support standardisation, and accelerate commercial availability and global market penetration. Members will also run trials and deploy projects together.

While various networking vendors have been talking about 5G – a big step-up from the current 4G standards – the exact definition of this next-generation mobile network has not yet been defined with certainty.

One element is certain though: 5G networks will be carrying data at a much faster rate and bigger volume than before, making it possible for all manners of wireless connection to be made. Instead of just mobile phones, vehicles, objects, buildings can all be part of a 5G network.

This will not be a close-ended club. The association wants to draw in more industry partners, and several other names have expressed interest in doing so soon.

Dr Christoph Grote, senior vice president, electronics, BMW Group, believes that 5G will become the worldwide dominating mobile communications standard of the next decade. “For the automotive industry it is essential that 5G fulfils the challenges of the era of digitalization and autonomous driving,” he adds.

Dr Li Yingtao, president of a Huawei unit called 2012 Labs, notes that the creation of this association shows the need for cross-sector collaboration between the mobile industry and the car industry in creating the industry roadmap.

“It will facilitate global regulation, certification and standardisation efforts for autonomous driving and future car services based on 5G technologies,” says Li.

Doug Davis, senior vice president and general manager of the Internet of Things Group, Intel, says the association will help speed up 5G-based developments in automotive transportation. 

“Partnering together with other industry leaders will ensure 5G can support the use cases that will deliver on breakthroughs in safety and services for automated driving, smart city and intelligent transportation solutions around the world,” he says.