Vodafone has launched its Safer Transport for Europe Platform (STEP).
The new system will deliver safety and traffic information directly to smartphone mapping apps and vehicle navigation systems.
STEP will allow public authorities to send information about lane closures, speed restrictions and traffic incidents directly to drivers’ devices. This information can be efficiently delivered with as much detail as needed and is much quicker than alternatives such as roadside signs.
Vodafone will integrate STEP with its own Vodafone Automotive apps later this year. The system is also compatible with all third-party apps, so Vodafone is collaborating with relevant partners to enable more drivers to use the system.
Vinod Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone Business, said:This scaled platform enables the delivery of vital safety information to all road users, no matter what app or system they rely on. STEP encourages the collaboration needed between transport authorities, app developers and the automotive industry to unlock the full value of data and connectivity in helping make Europe’s roads safer.
The launch builds on Vodafone’s successful trials of cellular vehicle-to-everything technology in the West Midlands. In future, STEP could be used to monitor roads in real-time using anonymous data concerning vehicle positioning, allowing the system to warn drivers of large vehicles, nearby cyclists and pedestrians.
