C2C CC (Car to Car Communication Consortium)

The Car-to-Car Communication Consortium (C2CCC) was a group of leading automotive companies, technology providers, and research institutions that came together to develop and promote the use of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technologies. V2V communication is a type of wireless communication that allows vehicles to exchange information with one another in real-time, enabling a wide range of safety, efficiency, and convenience features.

The C2CCC was founded in 2002 and was based in Germany. It consisted of a diverse group of members, including leading automakers like BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen, and Volvo, as well as technology providers like NXP Semiconductors and Continental AG, and research institutions like the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the University of Kaiserslautern. The consortium was initially focused on developing a set of technical specifications and standards for V2V communication, with the aim of enabling interoperability between different vehicles and communication systems.

One of the main goals of the C2CCC was to develop a common communication standard that could be used by all members, regardless of the specific technology they were using. This standard, known as the Car2Car Communication Consortium Protocol (C2C-CC), was designed to provide a common framework for V2V communication that would allow vehicles to exchange information about their position, speed, direction, and other relevant data. By using a common protocol, the consortium believed that it would be easier to develop and deploy V2V communication systems that were interoperable across different manufacturers and technologies.

The C2C-CC protocol was based on the IEEE 802.11p standard, which is a variant of the popular Wi-Fi standard that was specifically designed for V2V communication. This standard operates in the 5.9 GHz frequency band, which is reserved for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in many countries, including the United States and Europe. The C2C-CC protocol defined a set of data exchange formats, message structures, and security mechanisms that were intended to ensure the reliability, security, and privacy of V2V communication.

One of the key benefits of V2V communication is its potential to improve road safety by enabling vehicles to communicate with one another and avoid collisions. By exchanging information about their position, speed, and direction, vehicles can anticipate potential hazards and take evasive action before an accident occurs. For example, if a vehicle is approaching an intersection and another vehicle is about to run a red light, the first vehicle can receive a warning message from the second vehicle and take appropriate action to avoid a collision. This kind of proactive collision avoidance system has the potential to save lives and reduce injuries on the road.

In addition to safety benefits, V2V communication can also improve traffic flow and reduce congestion by enabling vehicles to communicate with one another and coordinate their movements more efficiently. For example, if a group of vehicles are approaching a highway on-ramp at the same time, they can use V2V communication to coordinate their speeds and merge onto the highway in a more efficient manner, reducing the likelihood of traffic jams and delays. Similarly, V2V communication can be used to optimize traffic signals and reduce the time spent waiting at red lights, further improving traffic flow and reducing emissions from idling vehicles.

The C2CCC was active for over a decade, and during that time, it made significant contributions to the development and standardization of V2V communication technologies. The consortium played a key role in the development of the C2C-CC protocol and worked closely with government agencies and standards bodies to promote the adoption of V2V communication in the automotive industry. In 2013, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced plans to mandate V2V communication technology in all new light vehicles by this decision was largely based on the work of the C2CCC and other industry groups, which had demonstrated the potential benefits of V2V communication through a series of large-scale field tests and demonstrations.

However, despite the progress made by the C2CCC and other industry groups, the widespread adoption of V2V communication technology has been slower than many had anticipated. There are several reasons for this, including technical challenges, regulatory barriers, and concerns about data privacy and security. For example, while the C2C-CC protocol provided a solid foundation for V2V communication, there are still technical challenges that need to be addressed, such as ensuring interoperability between different hardware and software systems.

Regulatory barriers have also been a significant hurdle to the adoption of V2V communication technology. While the US DOT has mandated V2V communication in all new light vehicles, other countries have been slower to adopt similar regulations. In Europe, for example, there is currently no mandate for V2V communication, and the regulatory environment is more fragmented, with different countries and regions implementing their own standards and requirements.

Finally, concerns about data privacy and security have also been a barrier to the adoption of V2V communication. Because V2V communication involves the exchange of sensitive information about a vehicle's position, speed, and other parameters, there are concerns about how this data will be used and protected. There are also concerns about the potential for V2V communication systems to be hacked or otherwise compromised, leading to safety risks or privacy violations.