Australia’s Cohda Wireless has developed V2X connectivity to help pave the way for the introduction of connected vehicles on smart roads and highways.

The MK6 RSU (road-side unit) and OBU (on-board unit) provide comprehensive connectivity as standard features, including DSRC, C-V2X, LTE, 5G, wifi and Bluetooth.

The company believes the MK6 will strengthen its position as a provider of connected vehicle technology and expedite the rollout of cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) around the world. Cohda’s V2X stack and applications are already widely deployed in the industry but the MK6 is more capable, versatile and powerful.

Cohda Wireless CEO Paul Gray said the dual concurrent technology capability of the MK6 gave users the reliability, flexibility and interoperability to embark on deployments, no matter where they were in the world, with confidence.

“More and more cities across the world are actively embarking on initiatives to introduce connected vehicles on their roads and we developed the MK6 with the intent that it would become the undisputed connectivity of choice,” said Gray. “City transport authorities want to invest confidently in future-proof products and when they equip their traffic lights and other roadside infrastructure with the MK6 road-side unit they are deploying a road ready solution that can reduce congestion and road accidents. Other than its versatility in connectivity, the MK6 also boasts improved security and processing power for unique and complex applications.”

In developing the sixth-generation MK6, Cohda has applied its experience and involvement in some of the world’s most prolific trials and deployments, including the more than 3000 vehicle New York Connected Vehicle Project as well as Australia’s largest connected vehicle pilot, the Ipswich Connected Vehicle Project.

Cohda has also achieved success in the automotive industry and the OBU version of the MK6 is expected to generate significant interest. Cohda’s technology has featured in two production vehicle platforms, most recently in 2019 when Volkswagen equipped its Golf 8 production model with Cohda’s V2X smarts. Volkswagen is the second manufacturer to incorporate Cohda’s V2X technology in a production vehicle in readiness for an impending connected road transport system.

“We are approaching a tipping point and we expect the MK6 to be a catalyst for increased momentum,” said Gray. “The MK6 is the all-rounder that makes it easy for the entire industry, especially cities and transport authorities, to participate in the evolution of the world’s transport systems.”

The MK6 uses NXP’s RoadLink SAF5400 and SXF1800 chipset as well as the Qualcomm Snapdragon Auto 5G modem-RF platform. It will be available before the end of the year.

Cohda Wireless is headquartered in Australia and has offices in Europe, China and the USA. Its products are used in the USA, Europe, Australia, Japan, Africa, Middle East, China, Singapore and Korea.