Audi Traffic Light Timer Tech Counts Down To Green, Further Enables Texting Road Warriors
Have you ever honked at someone because they did not realize the red traffic light had turned green? If they are an Audi driver, this situation should no longer be a problem. Audi recently announced the “traffic light information system” -- a service which informs drivers when a traffic light is about to turn green.
Traffic light information is an Audi PRIME feature and will allow vehicles to communicate with the infrastructure in select metropolitan areas throughout the United States. The service connects to the internet via LTE to Traffic Technology Services servers. The feature will inform drivers of how much time there is left until a light turns green.
Pom Malhotra, General Manager of Connected Vehicles remarked, “This feature represents Audi’s first step in vehicle-to-infrastructure integration. 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.”
Many are concerned that this kind of feature could lead to an increase in distracted driving. Text messaging while driving is prohibited in forty-six states, while all-out bans on handheld cellphone use are active in fourteen states. Audi does warn in its statement that the feature is not a “substitute for safe and attentive driving”. Knowing how much time is left until a light turns green could prove too much of a temptation for some.
The new traffic light information will be rolled out as part of of Audi’s connect PRIME services later this fall. New cities will be added throughout 2017. The feature is available on 2017 Audi Q7, A4 and A4 Allroad models built after June 1st, 2016.
Scott Keogh, President of Audi of America, noted, “Continuous innovation in connected car services and advanced driver assistance systems that enrich and improve the customer experience is at the core of the Audi brand and our collective future.”
Pom Malhotra, General Manager of Connected Vehicles remarked, “This feature represents Audi’s first step in vehicle-to-infrastructure integration. 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.”
The new traffic light information will be rolled out as part of of Audi’s connect PRIME services later this fall. New cities will be added throughout 2017. The feature is available on 2017 Audi Q7, A4 and A4 Allroad models built after June 1st, 2016.
