Ford Motor Co. will soon collaborate with Qualcomm Technologies, AT&T and Nokia on a connected-vehicle project in the San Diego area aimed at evaluating the potential of cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communications, according to Qualcomm.

C-V2X communications are expected to help improve automotive safety, automated driving and traffic efficiency, Qualcomm said in a released statement. The testing will be conducted in Interstate 15 express lanes, on the southern segment of the South Bay Expressway, and on local streets in the city of Chula Vista. 

Qualcomm Technologies' C-V2X technology encompasses vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communications, the company said.

The trials, using C-V2X platforms installed in Ford vehicles, are expected to begin later this year. Other test participants include McCain Inc., a provider of intelligent transportation solutions, and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).

C-V2X allows vehicles to directly communicate with other vehicles, pedestrian devices and roadside infrastructure, such as traffic signs. C-V2X relies on the 5.9 GHz band without the need for a cellular network or subscription.

C-V2X is designed to support 360-degree non-line-of-sight awareness and extend a vehicle’s ability to see, hear and understand the environment down the road, at blind intersections, and in harsh weather conditions, according to Qualcomm. C-V2X also complements other advanced driver assistance system sensors, including cameras, radar and LiDAR.

“The advancement of cellular technology for C-V2X applications is very encouraging,” said Don Butler, executive director of connected vehicle and services at Ford. “This technology promises to meet, and in some cases exceed, the performance requirements of vehicle communication being proposed by relevant government agencies while leveraging existing in-vehicle connectivity frameworks.”

Additionally, Butler said, C-V2X provides a path to technology advancements needed to support automated driving and mobility.