One of the big objections to the EV transition is that we’re just switching from one kind of car to another. While the exhaust pollutants have been eliminated and the contribution to climate change has been reduced, electric cars are still cars. Among a number of other things, one big issue with cars that going electric alone doesn’t solve is the danger to vulnerable road users, such as those on foot or on a bicycle.
C-V2X technology uses cell phone communications to connect a vehicle with its surroundings. This can include everything from stoplights and road signs, to school buses and construction workers. With this tool, Audi drivers can get real-time updates on conditions that might impact their drive, like traffic alerts or changing speed limits. This technology gives drivers the ability to notice potential dangers on the road much sooner, therefore making driving a safer experience overall.
Parallel Parking Departure Alert – When a vehicle pulls out of its curbside spot, it can detect if a bicycle is coming up behind it. The purpose of this collaboration is to use technology to help protect cyclists from being injured or killed on roads. According to the CDC, about 1,000 cyclists die and another 13,000 are hurt in vehicle-related accidents annually in the US. In fact, cyclist fatalities have been rising lately, increasing 5% from 2020 to 2021 with a total of 985 deaths that year.