NXP Semiconductors has launched the next phase in its collaboration with Columbus, Ohio, the winner of the 2016 US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) US$40m Smart City Challenge, with the Netherlands-based company contributing key technologies for smart and safe mobility to the Smart Columbus Experience Center.
At the end of last week, the city opened its new Smart Columbus Experience Center, which allows visitors to see how new mobility options, such as connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicles, will help make Columbus a more connected community.
Hands-on educational experiences and technology demonstrations aim to show visitors how technology and innovation in transportation can grow the local economy and create ladders of opportunity for central Ohio residents.
As part of the Experience Center initiative, NXP and Cohda Wireless will deploy a connected vehicle environment through the center’s electric vehicle test drive area so drivers can experience this future technology in person. NXP has also donated an electric motorcycle with an accompanying drone that alerts the driver to dangers or delays ahead.
As part of its commitment to Columbus, the company will continue to contribute key mobility technologies to the Smart Columbus Experience Center, including:
• NXP’s RoadLINK Vehicle to Everything (V2X) technology, which allows cars to securely communicate with each other, as well as with intelligent traffic infrastructures, using the IEEE802.11p dedicated short range communications (DSRC) standard. DSRC technology is the only ADAS sensor that can ‘look around the corner’ and offers lowest latency in the communication;
• Smart Card IC technology that enhances transportation for all citizens by supporting secure and convenient public transportation ticketing and payment systems, including contactless transit fare solutions;
• Highly secure NXP radio frequencyi (RFID) solutions designed to promote public safety and convenience. Smart city applications for the technology include vehicle window stickers that enhance driver convenience and reduce municipal costs by eliminating the need for stop-and-pay stations in public parking spaces;
• A fleet of six electric vehicles from different manufacturers will be on display and available for test drives through a connected vehicle environment provided by NXP and Cohda Wireless. An electric motorcycle provided by NXP and a Ford Ojo electric scooter will also be on display.
“We’re proud to be part of the City of Columbus Experience Center,” said Peter Esser, head of US government affairs at NXP. “Smart mobility starts with education and a desire to shape a new future. The new Smart Columbus Experience Center brings technology and education together, and is unique to the smart mobility projects we are implementing around the world.”
Jordan Davis, director of smart cities for The Columbus Partnership, commented, “The Smart Columbus Experience Center was made possible through partnerships with industry leaders such as NXP and Codha wireless. The Experience Center is an exciting community space where we will together demonstrate how cities can use technology to improve people’s lives.”
