5G networks will have a critical role to play in the safety design of autonomous vehicles, according to Gartner.
Operators will be able to secure future market opportunities with manufacturers of autonomous vehicles in the fields of driver safety and data processing and management, the research firm said in a research note.
Autonomous vehicle systems and sensors will generate unprecedented amounts of data, that will need to be transmitted and processed in real time.
By 2025 Gartner predicts that the vehicles will be uploading over 1TB of vehicle and sensor data per month to the cloud, up from 30GB from advanced connected cars today.
"CSPs have an opportunity to become strategic partners for OEMs by applying 5G capabilities to address autonomous vehicle OEM data growth," Gartner senior research analyst Jonathan Davenport said.
“To seize the opportunity, CSPs need to make sure 5G is included in the design of future vehicles, in the fields of safety and connectivity, where the biggest chances lie."
Operators will be able to leverage 5G technology to expand and enhance autonomous vehicle safety systems, he said.
For example, one possibility for scenarios where autonomous vehicles need to make a vehicle-to-human handover involves the use of remote human pilots, such as in scenarios where a vehicle has become stuck.
The safe execution of remote human control of autonomous vehicles would require the high reliability and low latency that only 5G networks will be able to provide.