NXP provides intelligence, eco-friendliness, and safety innovations to European transport systems in collaboration with industry leaders and political circles

November 13, 2014, Seoul — NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) announced that it partnered with industry leaders to conduct a "Communicating Cars" test drive tour on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) roads connecting Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Launched at Electronica, a global electronics exhibition held in Munich, the tour featured Honda's smart cars traveling a total distance of 1,300 km, including on ITS field test sections equipped with Siemens intelligent transport infrastructure in Munich, Vienna, and Helmont. All demonstration vehicles used in this tour are equipped with NXP’s industry-leading and secure communication technology, showcasing the advantages of intelligent traffic control, such as improved road safety and pollution reduction.

In 2013, the transport ministers of Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands announced plans to jointly build an ITS road that crosses the borders of the three countries. Since then, relevant government ministries, highway operators, and the automotive industry have been working closely together to an unprecedented degree to prepare the road for general use by 2015. Accordingly, intelligent traffic lights and other intelligent road signs are being installed on this road connecting the three countries. These systems interact with internet-connected vehicles to warn drivers of traffic congestion or road hazards ahead before they come into their field of vision. As a result, it is expected that not only will the number of traffic fatalities be significantly reduced, but environmental damage and economic losses caused by traffic congestion (estimated to amount to 7.4 billion euros in Europe alone in 2013) can also be minimized.

NXP Semiconductors, a leader in the field of internet-connected vehicles and a pioneer of secure V2X (Vehicle-to-X) technologies—V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle wireless communication) and V2I (Vehicle-to-Road Infrastructure communication)—organized the 'Communicating Cars' test drive tour held on the aforementioned European ITS roads. NXP not only supported the secure connection between the vehicles used for the demonstration and the road infrastructure but also involved the following industry leaders to ensure the actual execution of the event.
• Siemens – Responsible for supplying intelligent road infrastructure, such as installing secure V2X wireless sensors on road signs, traffic lights, and road obstacles.
• Honda – Provided the Smart vehicle used in the demonstration event
• Coda Wireless – Application Software Provider
• TÜV Süd, AvD, and ANWB Automotive Club – Join as sponsoring organizations for V2X communication

Kurt Sievers, NXP Vice President and Head of Automotive Business, stated, “NXP, with its RoadLINK products, is a leader in providing a comprehensive range of secure V2X chipsets, enabling the highest levels of secure communication and privacy protection in internet-connected vehicles. This ‘Communicating Car’ event, organized by NXP in partnership with Siemens, Honda, and other partners, has been designed to align with the infrastructure of European ITS roads. Through this, we aim to demonstrate that the intelligence and stability of traffic systems can be significantly improved on actual European roads. This event will undoubtedly provide significant momentum and serve as a catalyst for the rapid expansion of ITS solutions across Europe.”

The ITS road tour began on November 11 and 12 with Honda vehicles driving on test tracks established by NXP/Siemens around the Electronica exhibition. Subsequently, on November 17, the tour proceeds to Vienna, driving along the Siemens ITS Telematics field test track. The final destination, the field test site in Rotterdam and Helmond, Netherlands, will be reached on November 19. It is here that the event will conclude with a conference, bringing together high-ranking politicians and representatives from major corporations and automotive companies to discuss critical issues regarding road safety.

Wilke Reints, Head of Research and Development for Intelligent Transport Systems at Siemens, stated, “Siemens is confident that intelligent road infrastructure is ready for full-scale implementation. We have conducted intensive research on the topic of communication between vehicles and infrastructure, and we believe that policymakers, highway operators, and automakers must now work closely together to build international projects, such as ITS roads, across Europe. Siemens plans to utilize NXP’s RoadLink communication technology in the development of next-generation products.”

Sven Leonhardt, Head of Functional and Materials Technology at Honda R&D Europe, stated, “As the construction and adoption of intelligent transport systems increase, the potential for road safety and traffic efficiency has grown. The test drives at this event are proving that this technology possesses full functionality.” "Honda's vision of 'safety for all' is finally being realized," he explained.