Autonomous driving technology is transitioning from science fiction to reality. However, relying solely on in-vehicle sensors and artificial intelligence is insufficient to handle complex road environments. In recent years, the integration of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and the Internet of Things (IoT) has injected new vitality into autonomous driving. Through real-time communication between road surveillance cameras, roadside sensors, and vehicles, autonomous vehicles no longer operate in isolation but collaborate with road infrastructure, significantly enhancing safety and efficiency. In China, pilot projects in Shanghai and Shenzhen have already shown promising results, reducing traffic congestion by approximately 15%, marking a significant step toward the commercialization of autonomous driving through IoT-enabled smart transportation.
Vehicle-Road Collaboration and IoT: How Do They Integrate?
The core of vehicle-road collaboration lies in enabling vehicles to “communicate” with their surroundings. Specifically, this includes Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication, Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication, and Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) interaction. IoT acts as an invisible network connecting these “conversations.” Imagine an autonomous vehicle approaching an intersection: the Road Side Unit (RSU) captures traffic flow and signal light status through cameras and sensors, transmitting the information to the On-Board Unit (OBU) via a 5G network with latency of less than one millisecond, allowing the vehicle to adjust its speed or route accordingly.
This low-latency feature is made possible by the widespread application of 5G and Cellular V2X (C-V2X) technology. Compared to the 20-millisecond latency of traditional 4G, 5G drastically reduces communication time, ensuring that autonomous vehicles can rapidly respond to sudden situations, such as unexpected pedestrians or vehicles appearing ahead. More importantly, IoT does not just transmit single pieces of data—it integrates multi-source information, including camera-captured images, radar-measured distances, and traffic signal countdowns. These data are processed in real-time via edge computing, providing precise decision-making support for autonomous vehicles. Simply put, vehicle-road collaboration equips cities with “eyes” and “ears,” while IoT serves as the “nervous system” transmitting information.
Pilot Projects in Shanghai and Shenzhen: A Practical Test of Vehicle-Road Collaboration
In China, the integration of vehicle-road collaboration and IoT has entered practical testing phases. Take Shanghai’s Lingang New Area as an example. The area has deployed dense 5G base stations and roadside sensors, covering key test roads. In early 2025, when an autonomous test vehicle approached a construction zone, roadside cameras preemptively identified obstacles and notified the vehicle via IoT. The onboard system swiftly adjusted the route, avoiding potential risks. According to trial data from Shanghai, this system reduced peak-hour traffic congestion by approximately 15% and increased average vehicle speed by 10%. Companies like Baidu Apollo reported that vehicle-road collaboration expanded the perception range of autonomous vehicles from 200 meters to several kilometers, significantly enhancing safety and stability.
Shenzhen’s Nanshan District pilot project demonstrates another scenario. In a bustling tech park, an autonomous taxi approaching an intersection receives an advance notification from the IoT system that the traffic light is about to turn green. The vehicle proceeds smoothly without stopping, minimizing sudden braking and frequent stopping. According to local traffic department statistics, this coordinated approach optimized traffic flow, reducing congestion time by approximately 10 minutes and significantly improving transit efficiency. Shenzhen’s success is attributed to high-density 5G base stations and technological support from companies like Huawei, with roadside unit coverage exceeding 90% on major roads.
These two cases demonstrate that integrating vehicle-road collaboration with IoT not only expands the “vision” of autonomous vehicles but also optimizes the entire traffic ecosystem. A 15% reduction in congestion might seem like just a number, but behind it lies lower fuel consumption, reduced emissions, and a smoother travel experience.
Significance and Challenges: A New Phase for Autonomous Driving
The integration of vehicle-road collaboration and IoT is highly significant for autonomous driving. Firstly, it enhances safety. Traditional autonomous vehicles rely on onboard sensors, but their perception is limited in foggy weather or obstructed environments. The addition of roadside units compensates for this weakness by providing all-weather, multi-angle environmental data, potentially reducing accident rates by over 30%. Secondly, it optimizes efficiency. Through real-time communication, autonomous vehicles can plan routes in advance, avoiding unnecessary slowdowns or detours, leading to a smoother traffic flow. Lastly, it accelerates commercialization. Vehicle-road collaboration reduces dependency on expensive sensors like LiDAR, significantly lowering operational costs and paving the way for large-scale deployment.
However, challenges remain. Infrastructure development is a major bottleneck—deploying roadside units and 5G networks requires massive investment, and progress in small and medium-sized cities may lag behind. Additionally, data privacy issues cannot be overlooked. Frequent communication between vehicles and roads involves a vast amount of location and behavioral data, raising concerns about how to protect user privacy. Standardization is another hurdle; V2X protocols are not yet fully compatible worldwide, potentially hindering cross-regional applications.
Future Outlook: A Blueprint for Smart Transportation
Despite these challenges, the future of vehicle-road collaboration and IoT remains promising. With infrastructure improvements, we may soon witness the transition of autonomous driving from pilot projects to full-scale commercialization. In China, the government has explicitly supported smart transportation development, with the “Notice on Advancing the Development of the Internet of Things for Smart Connectivity” proposing that by 2025, the number of IoT connections will surpass 2 billion. This means that more cities will follow in the footsteps of Shanghai and Shenzhen, building a nationwide smart transportation network.
Looking further ahead, vehicle-road collaboration may propel autonomous driving into fully automated levels (Level 4/5). At that point, vehicles will not only communicate with roads but also interact with drones, smart parking lots, and even household appliances, creating a truly interconnected “Internet of Everything” ecosystem. Imagine this: as you finish work, your autonomous vehicle has already received information from IoT about the optimal route home, pre-cooled your house by adjusting the air conditioning, and completed charging in the garage. All of this stems from seamless vehicle-road collaboration.
EELINK Communications is a high-tech enterprise dedicated to applying wireless communication technology to the Internet of Things (IoT). With over 20 years of experience, EELINK Communications has a top-tier team specializing in the research and manufacturing of IoT hardware and software devices. Our product range includes remote monitoring platforms for temperature, humidity, and more, serving applications such as asset management, vehicle theft prevention, insurance sales, and cold chain transportation management. Our mission is to achieve universal connectivity through innovative intelligent technology. By addressing customer needs, we strive to provide efficient and reliable solutions, thereby creating value. Recognizing the importance of IoT technology, we continuously drive technological innovation to meet the evolving demands of our customers.
The combination of vehicle-road collaboration and IoT is ushering autonomous driving into a new phase. It not only resolves technical bottlenecks but also lays out a clear roadmap for smart transportation and intelligent cities. From Shanghai to Shenzhen, a 15% reduction in congestion is just the beginning. As technology matures and policies continue to support development, the “conversation” between vehicles and roads will usher in the golden age of autonomous driving. We are witnessing a transportation revolution, and IoT is the catalyst behind it.