By Godson Umejiego, Correspondent USA

Qualcomm products mentioned within this press release are offered by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

Jacobs, Peachtree Corners and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Wednesday announced joint efforts to deploy end-to-end smart solutions in one of the nation’s first smart city environments powered by real-world connected vehicle technology and infrastructure. As a part of the working relationship, Qualcomm Technologies serves as ecosystem enabler by providing technology solutions, while Jacobs manages the installation commission project delivery. The programme aims to demonstrate the continued momentum of smart cities and spaces, with Peachtree Corners serving as a model for other municipalities as they look to deploy smart solutions and programmes.

Peachtree Corners is home to one of the nation’s most advanced smart city ecosystems, with smart connected technologies actively being developed and deployed in real-world conditions. Its Curiosity Lab is home to technology developers and companies enabling the future, while smart connected solutions are being deployed across the community, bringing the region to the forefront in the development of next-generation, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Jacobs, Peachtree Corners and Qualcomm Technologies are working together to deploy the company’s technology solutions, focusing initially on roadside infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, with the implementation of Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology. As a part of the programme, the city will work with Commsignia to feature roadside units (RSUs) equipped with Qualcomm Technologies’ C-V2X solution. Utility vehicles equipped with Qualcomm Technologies’ C-V2X solutions will also be utilized to demonstrate vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) direct communications.

The implementation of C-V2X within the smart city environment not only demonstrates the benefits of C-V2X communications in a real-world setting at scale but showcases C-V2X’s safety critical communication capabilities needed to meet the evolving needs of transportation.

“We are pleased to be working with Jacobs and Peachtree Corners to build out a progressive smart city deployment. This implementation further exemplifies the value and leadership in the Qualcomm® Smart Cities Accelerator Programme ecosystem and streamlined end-to-end deployment model capabilities,” said senior director, business development and global head of Smart Cities, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc, Sanjeet Pandit. “This C-V2X programme with the Curiosity Lab and Jacobs not only highlights the ability to implement digital road infrastructure to optimize traffic and enable safer streets across global cities, but our continued commitment to offer advanced solutions for traffic safety. This project is paving the way as an example of what communities can replicate and I expect these advanced end-to-end solutions to be an integral part of future smart city and smart connected spaces rollouts.”

“In addition to procuring, installing and testing the Internet of Things infrastructure, we’re bringing planning expertise to help Peachtree Corners realize its smart city vision,” said  people and places solutions senior vice president and regional director, Jacobs, Tom Meinhart. “From procurement to closeout, Jacobs and our partners work to improve safety and connectivity, while enhancing digital infrastructure and smart capabilities in the city.”

C-V2X direct communication is designed to serve as a key feature for safety and mobility applications.  Additionally, C-V2X aids in enabling cleaner and sustainable mobility alternatives as the technology is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 5-20 per cent, according to the 5GAA.

C-V2X is globally compatible with 5G networks and complements other Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors, such as cameras, radar and Light Detection and Radar (LIDAR).  The C-V2X direct communications is designed to offer vehicles low latency communications for vehicles to broadcast to other vehicles, roadside infrastructure and, in the future and with further optimizations, to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users without the involvement of a cellular network, or cellular network subscription, by operating in globally harmonized 5.9 GHz ITS spectrum.

“We’re delighted to welcome Qualcomm Technologies to Peachtree Corners – reinforcing our shared leadership in bringing the smart city vision to life in the United States,” said assistant city manager and chief technology officer of Peachtree Corners, Brandon Branham. “We’ve always stressed the importance of smart connected infrastructure to support all parts of an ecosystem – from autonomous vehicles and shuttles deployed for residents, pedestrians crossing the road, smart traffic management, public safety to other areas of everyday life. Qualcomm Technologies’ industry-leading C-V2X technologies will greatly elevate our infrastructure, making it second-to-none for both technology developers and our residents as we connect more of society and business.”

Through the Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program, Qualcomm Technologies has acted as a catalyst in enabling end-to-end smart deployments and the digital transformation of smart cities and smart connected spaces globally.  Peachtree Corners intends to roll out additional smart solutions in the future by collaborating with Qualcomm Technologies smart cities ecosystem and Qualcomm® IoT Services Suite verticals.