Audi has officially become the first automaker to launch vehicle-to-infrastructure technology in the U.S.
The Audi Connect Prime feature is called Traffic Light Information and is currently available on select 2017 Audi A4, Q7, and Allroad models. Traffic Light Information enables the cars to communicate with the infrastructure in select cities and metropolitan areas across the U.S. starting with Las Vegas, Nevada this December.
Cars equipped with the feature receive real-time signal information from the advanced traffic management system that monitors traffic lights through the on-board 4G LTE data connection. When a driver approaches a traffic light, Traffic Light Information displays the time remaining until the signal changes to green in the instrument cluster, as well as the head-up display if there is one.
SEE ALSO: Some 2017 Audi Models Will Be Able to Talk to Traffic Lights
The “time-to-green” feature is the first to leverage the Audi Traffic Light Information service, and in the future, it may be possible to integrate information from these advanced traffic management systems into vehicle start/stop features, navigation systems to optimize routing and predictive services such as presenting the driver with a speed recommendation to maximize the number of green lights one can make in sequence.
“The launch of this technology is another in a long list of firsts for Audi that have positioned us as the industry leader in connectivity solutions,” said Audi of America President Scott Keogh. “V2I applications and services like Traffic Light Information are essential components as we continue to move toward an autonomous future. We applaud the innovative approach of Las Vegas in working with us on V2I as well as on our various piloted driving demonstrations over the past years.”
