New ITU Focus Group On Vehicular Multimedia: Merging Automotive, ICT Industries

By David Branigan for Intellectual Property Watch

The UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has announced a new Focus Group on Vehicular Multimedia to “explore such innovations as intelligent voice interaction, interconnection between vehicular terminals and smartphones, and connectivity for high-precision navigation,” according to an ITU press release.

“Connected vehicles and automated driving are fast moving onto public roads, holding great promise to improve road safety, reduce congestion and emissions, and enhance the mobility of the elderly and persons with disabilities,” explains the press release for the 25 July announcement.

This multi-stakeholder focus group will bring together members of automotive and the information and communication technology (ICT) industries, and is open to all interested parties. It “will identify where new ITU standards for vehicular multimedia could take advantage of the integration of satellite and terrestrial communications that has enabled low-cost, wide-area coverage featuring high interactivity,” according to the press release.

The result of this focus group “will be the development of a standardization roadmap for innovation in vehicular multimedia development and use,” states the release. The focus group was proposed by an industry association, it said.