A few months ago, I read about DSRC being used to warn bicyclists and cars of the potential danger of them crashing into each other. I watched an interesting video on YouTube from Honda. I pitched an article on DSRC to a publication which accepted the idea.
It took a week of emails and phone calls to Honda PR and finally they informed me that they would not give an interview. I don’t know if the PR department put a stop on the interview or if the publication was not big enough for them. I did not give up on the topic. Before anything goes into production university research facilities are contracted to test the technology. I contacted professors at research facilities. Today, I hit pay dirt. I found out something more fascinating than I had imagined.
At this university, they are researching using DSRC communication to enable wireless inductive charging of EVs while parked and while in motion. Charging coils will be embedded into the pavement. University testers will be driving EVs around a track using DSRC communications for V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure) to charge the batteries in the vehicles.
Although such technology is years way, the interviewee, imagines the first deployment of wireless charging for vehicles in motion would be in highly populated urban areas. A commuter could through a box or in-car infotainment system pay for charging while commuting to work in a charging HOV lane. A parking garage could provide charging while the commuter is at work. A retailer, such as Mc Donald’s could provide free inductive driving while in the drive-through lane for purchases of $10 or more.
Another use for mobile wireless charging could be a resort like Disneyland where service vehicles (also called golf carts by the general public) could be charged while driving around the park. These vehicles usually have a very short range. If wireless charging was built-in the pavement. The visitors would not be experience the gas fumes from the gas-powered service vehicles.
I’ll keep you posted to when the article is published.