Volkswagen will start fitting its cars with connected technology that will enable vehicles to tell each other of traffic risks.

The technology will allow drivers to virtually ‘look’ round the corner ahead.

From 2019 onwards, models will start being fitted with the pWLAN technology, which will send information on sudden traffic risks to other vehicles and the local transport infrastructure within a few milliseconds.

Based on the IEEE 802.11p (pWLAN) standard and not reliant on mobile phone network coverage, the technology will allow drivers to virtually ‘look’ round the corner with a radius of approximately 500m, enabling drivers to potentially avoid emergency stops by other vehicles or black ice. The technology could also be fitted in emergency vehicles to give driver advance information on how near they are and the direction they’re travelling in.

VW says it’s planning to include pWLAN technology in the basic specifications of its models as standard, in addition to mobile phone connectivity.

“We want to increase road safety with the aid of networked vehicles, and the most efficient way of achieving this is through the rapid roll-out of a common technology,” said Johannes Neft, head of vehicle body development at Volkswagen. “What matters most is that the technology is used consistently, and by as many manufacturers and partners as possible.”