Several companies in the automotive world have begun to introduce communication technologies through the fifth generation network (5G), for use in services related to drivers and vehicles.
And the American newspaper "The Wall Street Journal" published a report about some companies exploring the prospects for 5G uses and its benefits.
The report spoke of Porsche testing electric sports cars "Taycan" at the Weissach test track in southwest Germany, to see how the fifth generation technologies built into the vehicles allow them to exchange data.
Porsche is one of several manufacturers that have teamed up with telecoms companies to build "mini-local" 5G networks, to pilot this technology as they develop new car models. High-speed networks are "new" to manufacturers, who test equipment that is designed for this purpose.
Expected uses for these networks include downloading updates to navigation software, updating digital maps more quickly, and audible alerts to the driver about road conditions.
Cars may also communicate with "smart infrastructure", such as traffic lights and buildings, so that a self-driving taxi, for example, knows that a stop light at the next intersection turns red.
Cars may also communicate with each other, perhaps to alert another car, for example, that a pedestrian is on a certain road, or that there are some obstacles on the road.
Porsche CEO Oliver Blume says the data the company collects from its experimental cars will help it design digital processors for self-driving vehicles and advanced driver assistance programmes.
Fast communication networks correspond to the shift in the use of technology in new cars, and in the past, cars contained dozens of digital processors with built-in software, controlling individual functions such as lights, engine controls or windows.
Unlike a smartphone or computer, whose software can be constantly updated with new features and functions, the software in these processors cannot be updated until the next generation of the car arrives with new parts.
But in 2012, Tesla launched the Model S electric car, which does not have these processors with built-in software, but rather a central computer, the driver of which can be constantly updated via the Internet, completely changing the "model" of automobile design, According to the newspaper.
Software updates allow car manufacturers to continually improve the car, providing drivers with on-demand features, such as a heated steering wheel in winter, or extra horsepower from the electric motor.
Similar to smartphones, cars will also be equipped to connect to the Internet. By 2025, analysts estimate there will be 100 million connected cars on the road, worldwide.
Porsche is working with "Vodafone" to develop the fifth generation network for cars, while General Motors is working with AT&T, and said it will launch 5G technology on select models of its cars in 2024.
GM said drivers could use 5G technology to download music, videos, various maps for navigation services, and vehicle software updates, at faster speeds.
The report talked about similar projects being worked on, between "Stellants" and "Hon Hai", "Toyota" and "Nippon", to build high-speed data networks for cars.
Toyota envisions a range of applications for 5G networks, including online software updates, remote monitoring of self-driving vehicles, which could allow anyone to control the vehicle remotely, as well as in-vehicle multimedia applications.
Michael Hafner, who is responsible for developing Mercedes-Benz's core vehicle operating system called MB.OS, says Mercedes already offers online warning services on some models, such as alerting other drivers about a pothole or accident ahead.
Hefner criticizes fast telecom networks, saying that "the alert time is so fast that 5G won't make much difference."
The report says that with 5G technology, cars may be connected to each other and become in direct contact, and it will be possible for one car to warn other cars of immediate dangers in the road ahead.
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