Volvo Car Corporation Takes Next Step in Car-to-Car Communication

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – Oct 2, 2012: Volvo Car Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the members of the CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium, regarding the implementation of shared technology for communication between cars in 2016.

Volvo Car Corporation has, since November 2011, been a member of the CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium which brings together most of Europe's major car manufacturers.

The organisation works to create a common European standard for intelligent transport systems with the aim of enhancing road safety.

Development under the CAR 2 CAR umbrella encompasses several different projects. Some relate to the way cars can communicate with each other (Car-2-Car) – for instance to provide information in the event of roadworks or a road accident – while others focus on how the infrastructure can convey information about what is happening along the route (Car-2-Infrastructure).

“Via a transmitter attached to a traffic light, the driver can be informed about what speed to maintain in order to make it through several consecutive green lights,” says Erik Israelsson, head of Car-2-Car communication at Volvo Car Corporation.

“This has a range of benefits such as steadier traffic flow, greater comfort for drivers, lower fuel consumption and lower emissions. The over-riding goal of this cooperation, however, is increased traffic safety."

The CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium is an organisation founded by several European car manufacturers together with suppliers, research institutes and other partners.