Audi just introduced an innovative new feature that is able to let drivers know exactly when the traffic light they are at will change. Dubbed a “traffic light information system,” the new feature will be available on select 2017 Audi Q7, A4 and A4 allroad models arriving this fall.
The car receives real-time signal information from the advanced traffic management system that monitors traffic lights. The link between vehicle and infrastructure is routed via the on-board LTE data connection.
While waiting at a connected traffic light, the driver information system in the instrument cluster, as well as the head-up-display, indicates the time remaining until the signal changes to green.
“This feature represents Audi’s first step in vehicle-to-infrastructure integration,” said Pom Malhotra, General Manager, Connected Vehicles. “In the future we could envision this technology integrated into vehicle navigation, start / stop functionality and can even be used to help improve traffic flow in municipalities. These improvements could lead to better overall efficiency and shorter commuting times.”
Audi plans to roll out the capability in five to seven U.S. cities this year. Audi wouldn’t identify the locations, but Malhotra projected that five to seven urban areas would be online by the end of 2016, with more coming in 2017.
