Volkswagen has announced that it has put its two-millionth car equipped with Car2X technology on the road.
Lovely. There's just one thing...
Yes?
I don't know what a tracker mortgage... sorry, what Car2X is
Quite simply, Car2X tech means that a car is not only connected in the sense of having an internet hookup so that it can download new software or extra on-screen apps, but it also has the technology to be able to wirelessly communicate with other cars and with roadside transmitters.
Is that helpful?
Yes, in fact it can be a life saver. Veronica Lehr, Head of Driver Assist Systems in Volkswagen's Development department: "With the increasing use of Car2X, road traffic can become more cooperative and anticipatory in many areas. The technology is therefore a key component for our 'Vision Zero' - traffic without serious accidents. In addition, Volkswagen is laying the foundation for the mobility of the future, which is set to be safer, intelligent and connected.”
How does it work?
Basically, Car2X means that your car can, in the background, talk to and hear from other cars in the area, as well as the likes of traffic lights and other roadside furniture which has been appropriately equipped.
This is more common than you might think - Germany has more than 1,000 pieces of roadwork equipment with Car2X technology, which can broadcast early warnings of lane closures or delays to your car. The info will show up on your touchscreen as a warning message.
Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic and Hungary are also rolling out Car2X tech for roadside systems while Austria has it across almost all its motorway network.
Other applications include breakdown services attending to a car at the side of the road - their warning signals can be picked up 800 metres away by Car2X, so it's like an electronic augment for the good old warning triangle.
Car2X can also tell you from which direction an emergency services vehicle is coming, allowing you to take early and appropriate response, while in some cases your automatic speed limiter and adaptive cruise control can start slowing you down even before the back of a traffic queue is in sight, meaning less waiting time at the back of a jam.
Can it do anything else?
Oh sure, and the technology is evolving all the time. According to Volkswagen: "For assisted lane changes on motorways, Car2X information can be used to control acceleration in a more convenient manner. In the future, bicycles, motorcycles and other road users such as trucks and buses could also be networked.”
The good news is that you don't have to pay for it - once the tech is packaged in your car, the communication links are free to use, at least so far - and there's no privacy issue, as all of the data being transmitted and received is anonymised.
The traffic hazard alert assist system with Car2X-technology is currently available as an option in the Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tayron, ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 models and is equipped as standard in the VW ID.7.