What's the news?
In an effort to get us one stage closer to car-to-everything (C2X) communications, Volvo has announced it is joining a pilot project called the European Data Task Force (EDTF).
This programme is a collaboration between a number of car manufacturers, as well as service providers and national governments across the EU, to share traffic-safety data generated by both cars and the infrastructure, to hopefully provide safer roads for all users.
The partners in the EDTF will share 'anonymised safety data' or safety services based on that data with the pilot via a cloud-based platform. Volvo's going to contribute by providing real-time data from two of its newest connected safety technologies, Hazard Light Alert and Slippery Road Alert.
Data collated from this pilot project can then be used by the participating organisations to warn drivers of potential dangers on the road ahead, while service providers can deliver this data via their live traffic services and to traffic services operated by national road authorities.
Founded in 2017, when the EDTF went live, Volvo's president and CEO - Hakan Samuelsson - told a conference at the European Commission in Brussels that sharing data between governments and car makers in the right thing to do, adding: "We think this type of anonymised data sharing should be done for free, for the greater good and to the wider benefit of society. It saves lives, time and taxpayer money. I call on other car makers and governments to work with us on realising this type of data sharing as widely as possible."
Anything else?
Malin Ekholm, head of Volvo Cars' safety centre, said: "The more vehicles we have sharing safety data in real time, the safer our roads become. That is why the European Data Task Force is such an important initiative. We hope to bring on board even more partners who share our commitment to safety."