The success of the implementation of 5G will be down to how secure it is. Without a safe process it won’t be of any value.
The fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks is imminent. Security for supply chains, information-sharing strategies with private sector companies and approved acquisition standards will be key to a successful roll out.
The Federal Mobility Group (FMG) includes a number of federal agencies and reports to the Federal CIO Council. It meets every couple of weeks to debate the challenges and discuss best practices.
They have made concerted efforts to consolidate the data available and make it more accessible to agencies.
The data used by the FMC and other agencies will help them make key decisions.
The ultimate aim of the information-sharing and collaboration practices is to make sure 5G rollout is as streamlined as possible.
In other areas of industry other organisations have teamed up to share their data and skills. Honda and Verizon are researching how 5G and mobile edge computing (MEC) could improve safety for vehicles both connected and autonomous.
They are working with the University of Michigan to explore safety scenarios to improve threat detection and avoid accidents.
The project’s goal is to research how 5G and mobile edge computing (MEC) can ensure fast and reliable communication between road infrastructure, vehicles and pedestrians to reduce accidents and save lives.
Super-fast, reliable and low-latency data transmission is crucial for connected vehicle safety according to the two companies involved.
Verizon claims its 5G and MEC platforms are able to bring the power of the cloud closer to the vehicle.
This helps to lower latency, offer massive bandwidth and improve communications with other cars, traffic lights, pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
Honda has been developing a technology to reduce the likelihood of collisions since 2017. “Safe Swarm” enables vehicles to communicate with other road users. Key information like location, speed, and vehicle sensor data is shared.
The implementation of 5G reduces the need for expensive and complex AI capabilities in every car.
Using their software platforms, Honda and Verizon are exploring three different safety scenarios:
An approaching driver cannot see a pedestrian crossing a street at an intersection as a result of a building obstructing the view. Smart cameras at the intersection relay information to MEC using the 5G network. The software identifies the scenario and sends the driver a warning message.
A driver can´t see or hear an approaching emergency vehicle.
The software receives a message from the emergency vehicle and sends a warning message to nearby vehicles.
A vehicle fails to stop at a red light signal.
Using data from the smart cameras the software sends a red-light-runner visual warning message to other vehicles approaching the intersection.
Car accidents killed over forty thousand people in 2020. 94% of those were caused by human error. New technologies such as 5G and MEC can help drivers react quicker helping to stop collisions and save lives