AstaZero, a vehicle testing facility operated by the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), has introduced the world’s first 6G, EDGE-computing enabled proving ground focused on vehicle and traffic communication testing. The system reportedly reached 99.999% reliability in connected vehicle communications, representing a notable development in this area.
The facility is designed to support testing of AI-based systems and facilitate the transition from older 3G networks to 6G infrastructure for traffic management, emergency services, and business communications. With the planned phase-out of 3G networks, sectors such as emergency services are adapting their systems to work with newer communication technologies.
Peter Janevik, CEO of RISE AstaZero, noted that future vehicle communication may rely not only on vehicle sensors but also on data from connected infrastructure and other vehicles. He emphasized that reliability, fast communication, and intelligent decision-making are key for these systems to function effectively.
The test environment supports vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, enabling vehicles equipped with sensors and cameras to share data with other vehicles, pedestrians, infrastructure, and Smart City systems. EDGE computing processes data locally near the source, which can reduce latency, bandwidth use, energy consumption, and improve privacy and reliability.
During live tests, the system manages data exchanges among vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, drones, and infrastructure components such as traffic signals. This allows for evaluation of complex traffic scenarios and supports developments in autonomous driving, industrial automation, and connected mobility.
The facility also aims to contribute to improvements in traffic management by enabling better coordination of traffic flows, emergency vehicle prioritization, and urban mobility solutions, which are key elements in Smart City initiatives.
AstaZero is positioned as one of the few open and neutral testing locations in Europe that offers access to advanced vehicle communication technologies to multiple industry participants, facilitating unbiased data testing.
The new facility is intended to help address safety challenges as road accidents in European cities have shown a recent increase, particularly involving commercial vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. By improving communication systems and reducing latency, the technology tested at AstaZero aims to support safer roads for all users.