The 5G Rollout: What it Means for Cars

Remember when 5G became a thing?  No, no, let’s rewind to a time before we were spoiled and pampered with instant connection from even attics and basements. Remember GSM?  Remember Edge?  Or 2G? Do you recall how these ever-creeping connectivity levels were rolled out over the years?  How each generation improved over the previous one, how “can you hear me now” went from a regular question to a near-obsolete thing.

If you were born before the year 2000, chances are, you recall this development.  And if you came into the world earlier than that, we’ll just assume you’ve witnessed an even greater advancement in technology.  Things have been changing, and rapidly.  5G now allows us to scroll, binge-watch, connect from virtually anywhere in the developed world, enabling about everything from Google searches to video calls at whim.

But this is a blog about automotive stuff, you’re thinking. What do cell phones and network strength have to do with cars? Well, a lot.  And just like our mobile connectivity becoming ever more efficient and, well, connected, our automobiles are quickly following suit.

Connected cars are a thing of the future.

And though in its early stages, a thing of the present too.  From satellite-driven GPS to safety systems like OnStar, vehicles with the ability to communicate have been steadily on the rise.  And now – tah-dah – enter 5G.

But what is 5G in terms of a car, truck, or SUV, you ask?  Other than allowing us to make hands-free phone calls from a console, what else does this feature mean? Well, we’re about to enlighten you.

Because 5G technology is so much faster than its predecessors, this means that any communication occurring between the vehicle and the driver, the vehicle and the environment, and the vehicle and other vehicles has a much shorter lag time. Meaning, information is passed in what is nearly real time. And here are some of the benefits…

First, manufacturers of 5G vehicles benefit from:

• Quicker time from manufacture to market – 5G makes assembly time shorter and more efficient, resulting in meeting supply chain demands faster
• Collection of data – manufacturers can observe trends and patterns of vehicle and driver behaviors, ask for feedback and monitor progress
• Repair and maintenance prediction – With a constant communication regarding the state of the vehicle, diagnostics are easily sent to the manufacturer, alerting them to issues or the need for maintenance

General benefits include:

• Tracing and tracking – 5G allows for much more accurate triangulation, including location sharing, in-vehicle temperature, and even the number of mobile phones present in the car
• Smart charging – in the world of Electric Vehicles, 5G means that chargers can communicate with one another and shift supply when needed, optimizing the charging experience
• Safety and accuracy – cars connected with 5G have a quicker and easier response time to their surroundings, allowing for safe lane changing, parking, and collision avoidance. Also, many manufacturers are working on 5G powering information such as weather and traffic conditions ahead, making the driving experience a much faster and smoother one.

The above points are worth considering when taking into account the upside of a 5G powered vehicle (in general and for manufacturers), for sure. But because driving is a truly human experience (so far, until autonomous vehicles take over) we’d be remiss in not underlining the benefits that 5G could provide for the person behind the wheel as well as any passengers.

1. Safety. More than the self-driving feature and the future robo-cars, human drivers can trust in a 5G vehicle to automatically send crash information to emergency services and first responders. Drivers can also be assured that they are receiving accurate, real-time weather and traffic conditions. Vehicle location tracking also enables communication with traffic management systems, assisting not only one driver, but hundreds, if not thousands, at a time.
2. Connectivity and Entertainment. The future of 5G cars will see drivers instantly paying for parking (without wallets, cash, cards, or apps), while passengers will be able to enjoy just about anything (work or play) they can imagine while in Wi-Fi. 5G will also feature automatic software updates, enhanced vehicle performance, along with network security.
3. Production Times. Yes, this is also a manufacturer perk, but it clearly affects buyers, aka, drivers.  The ability of 5G to speed up the creation of a vehicle means that supplies can much more easily meet demands.  So, while this is great for dealerships, it also leads to more humans behind steering wheels when they want to be.
4. Reduced Emissions. How, you ask? Well, when a driver is aware of real time traffic, of real time weather, and of any mechanical issues that may be present, there is much less time spent circling, idling, slowing, or breaking down. Faster connectivity in technology, does, in fact, lead to faster connectivity in-person. And if you can make it from here to there in less time, this, of course means fewer emissions loosed into the environment.

All in all, there is a strong argument for the advancement of 5G technology in vehicles.

And word on the street is that by the year 2027, one in four cars will be fully 5G enabled.  Here at eTags we’re picturing driving along, singing to a personalized playlist, ordering food delivery, and paying for our parking spot at the mall….all from the driver’s seat, and with very little effort.   There’s probably more – much more that will be available to us in that connected future – but it’s enough of a pretty picture to keep us happy until this tech comes to fruition.

Honestly, we’re pretty excited about where the future of automobiles is headed, and we can’t wait to share all the new details as the innovations roll out. In the meantime, we’re here to lend a hand with all your other car needs: come visit us at eTags, and let us make all your title and tag dreams come true. Transfers, gifts, sales, renewals, initial registrations….we got you, and we’re here to help!