HARMAN has launched a multi-access edge computer (MEC) for transport and road edge infrastructure.

MECWAVE is designed to accelerate the deployment of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, including safety-critical applications like hazard alerts, along with high-throughput connectivity experiences like interactive infotainment and video streaming.

MECWAVE also extends V2X capabilities to non-V2X capable vehicles and devices such as bikes and scooters, as well as mobile and wearable devices.

Two further HARMAN solutions complement MECWARE, StreetWAVE and MobiWAVE, which can be deployed together or independently to further enhance vehicle communication.

The StreetWAVE roadside unit is a node for vehicular connectivity, leveraging wireless technologies such as 5G or CBRS for backhaul and C-V2X technologies to enable a communication framework between infrastructure and vehicles.

MobiWAVE is a wireless vehicular on-board unit that combines existing telematics control units with V2X services to reduce traffic-related emergencies through functionalities including ASD, “Here I Am” device and more.

In bad weather , vehicles equipped with MobiWAVE will continuously transmit real-time information about the location of the vehicle. StreetWAVE, which is mounted on roadside utility poles, or within wireless communication infrastructures along the route, receives the data and transfers it to MECWAVE for further processing. MECWAVE then aggregates real-time data from various transmission points, high-definition map data, local weather conditions, and traffic patterns. As a result, drivers will receive real-time notifications and alerts to help mitigate the risk of weather-related incidents and keep them safe.

MobiWAVE-equipped vehicles receive notifications from MECWAVE systems of possible wrong-way drivers, and alert other drivers before an incident takes place. MECWAVE discovers anomalies in real time by continuously monitoring the trajectory data received from MobiWAVE units. Once an anomaly is identified, MECWAVE issues an alert message to a larger user network in the area of potential danger, as well as a warning to the wrong-way driver. This combination of technologies is designed to quickly and safely resolve potential traffic incidents before they occur.

Running on edge with cellular 5G connectivity, MECWAVE can detect the risk of a potential incident, such as a pedestrian stepping into a crosswalk before an accident takes place. When MECWAVE detects a high-risk scenario, an awareness notification is sent both to nearby vehicles and to the pedestrian’s mobile device warning both parties of the potential collision.

“Today, technology holds the opportunity to transform so many automotive experiences, but the most important are those that can enhance safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians,” said Ram Iyer, Senior Vice President, Connectivity, HARMAN International. “At HARMAN, we are focused on building city intelligence and delivering safer communications between the car and its environment to satisfy the growing need for connectivity. With the introduction of MECWAVE, our HARMAN Savari solutions enable OEMs to deliver meaningful innovations to consumers that not only make life on the road more connected and better informed, but safer for everyone.”