"LG Electronics Unveils First Mobile App for Pedestrian Safety with 'Collision Risk Detection and Warning'"

LG Electronics' dedicated mobile app for 'Soft V2X' displaying warning messages such as 'Pedestrian Collision Risk' (left) and 'Vehicle Collision Risk'. (Photo by LG Electronics)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] LG Electronics publicly unveiled its smartphone solution for pedestrian safety, 'Soft V2X,' for the first time on the 10th at the '2021 Seoul Smart Mobility Expo.' Soft V2X is a system that provides advance warning alerts via smartphone when collision risks are detected between vehicles and pedestrians, vehicles and two-wheelers, or between vehicles, thereby reducing the likelihood of traffic accidents.

The dedicated Soft V2X mobile application (app) transmits users' location information, including current position, movement direction, and speed, to the cloud in real time. The cloud selects relevant surrounding information from the received data and sends it back to users. When the app analyzes the various information received from the cloud and detects a collision risk for the user, it sends warning messages such as 'Vehicle Collision Risk' to the smartphone via screen, sound, and vibration to help prevent accidents.

Unlike existing V2X systems that require separate dedicated devices, Soft V2X only requires a smartphone. The cloud can receive information about vehicle operation, road conditions, and traffic signals by linking with the next-generation intelligent transportation system (C-ITS). This information is transmitted to app users and used to analyze real-time risk levels.

Soft V2X users can also detect collision risks with pedestrians or vehicles that have not installed the mobile app on their smartphones. Using AI-based smart CCTV, pedestrians and vehicles are identified, and their location, movement direction, and speed are calculated. This information is sent to the cloud and then delivered to Soft V2X app users. When the app predicts a dangerous situation, it notifies the user accordingly.

Conceptual diagram of LG Electronics' smartphone solution 'Soft V2X' (Photo by LG Electronics)

LG Electronics explained that using Soft V2X helps prevent accidents in blind spots or sudden situations that are difficult to detect, such as children hidden behind parked vehicles, bicycles obscured by large vehicles, or suddenly appearing kickboards, as well as during nighttime or adverse weather conditions. Additionally, LG Electronics introduced the Smart RSU, an upgraded communication facility attached to traffic infrastructure like traffic lights that exchanges road traffic information with existing V2X devices. The Smart RSU mediates information between vehicles equipped with existing V2X devices and Soft V2X users.

LG Electronics plans to focus on expanding its user base. The more Soft V2X users there are, the denser the safety network that can be built. This year, prior to the commercialization of Soft V2X, various demonstration projects will be promoted, and partnerships with platform companies will be expanded. Park Il-pyung, CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of LG Electronics, said, "Soft V2X technology, which anyone can use with just a smartphone, will innovatively lead the future mobility industry and contribute to providing customers with a safe traffic environment."