(By Balachander) Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) and NXP Semiconductors NV (NASDAQ: NXPI) have each invested an undisclosed amount in Australia-based Cohda Wireless to advance intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and car-to-X communications.
Cohda's technology allows cars to more effectively "see" through obstacles or around corners.
"We make Car-to-X work for the moving car. Our patented technology enhances radio reception; the car can see around corners or through obstacles when needed," said Cohda Wireless CEO Paul Gray.
NXP will exclusively license the Cohda 802.11p technology together with its chipsets to automotive customers. Cohda will be NXP's preferred partner for automotive 802.11p reference designs. The technology allows cars to communicate with each other (car-to-car) as well as with intelligent traffic infrastructure (car-to-infrastructure) around them.
Netherlands-based NXP, a supplier of car radio semiconductors and security chips, and Cohda Wireless said they have built a wireless communication solution for onboard-units based on Cohda's existing advanced radio and NXP's software-defined radio technology.
"This makes it a key element to connect to Cisco's vision of a ubiquitous and highly-secure Internet of Everything," the companies said.
By allowing vehicles to reliably interact with each other when travelling at high-speeds, each vehicle can give drivers warnings about potential hazards and allow them to avoid accidents, or even automatically respond to changing driving conditions faster than typical human reaction times, the companies said.
Together, Cisco, NXP, and Cohda will apply their technologies to help automotive OEMs, suppliers, enterprises and consumers to connect vehicles with ITS infrastructure.
"Combined with Cohda's superior wireless communication algorithms and Cisco's network intelligence we will achieve the performance, system cost and compactness that car makers and tier-1 suppliers are asking for," said Kurt Sievers, EVP / GM of the Automotive Business at NXP Semiconductors.
A team of researchers from Australia founded Cohda Wireless in 2004, with a commitment to pioneer wireless solutions for automotive safety applications.
Maciej Kranz, VP / GM of the Connected Industries Group at Cisco believes that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected, and said "smarter vehicles are one of the many ways in which we will fully experience the Internet of Everything".