Autonomous cars, smart agriculture, drone delivery and other applications requiring precise location data are the target for a new Verizon Hyper Precise Location service announced today. According to Verizon Business, the service provides a stream of real-time data that enables location accuracy within one to two centimeters.
Verizon Hyper Precise Location (HPL) is software as a service that is now available in 100 major U.S. markets. Application developers can access the service via Verizon ThingSpace, the company’s Internet of Things (IoT) developer platform that one Verizon exec has described as an IoT “connectivity and device management system.”
The HPL service works with 5G and 4G networks, but a press release suggests that there are some added benefits to using the service in combination with Verizon 5G Edge capability. The 5G Edge offering leverages the edge computing partnership between Verizon and Amazon Web Service (AWS) that combines Verizon’s 5G mobile edge computing (MEC) technology with AWS Wavelength.
The latter is an AWS offering housed in facilities owned by wireless service providers. AWS initially announced four service provider partners globally, including Verizon.
Verizon HPL and 5G
Edge computing is on the rise as technology developers look to minimize latency by locating cloud resources closer to end users and as developers seek to match the low latency provided by 5G networks. Pairing 5G Edge with the new Verizon HPL service can provide the precise positioning data that will underlie emerging Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) technology, according to today’s press release.
Potential use cases for C-V2X include a range of traffic safety applications. In today’s press release, Verizon pointed to its own work with Honda to develop an application that alerts other drivers when one driver fails to stop at a red light. The two companies also worked together on applications to alert drivers about unseen pedestrians and approaching emergency vehicles.
The Verizon Hyper Precise Location service works by providing a stream of real-time global navigation satellite system correction data to device receivers, Verizon explains in today’s press release. In addition to applications mentioned elsewhere in this post, Verizon sees use cases for HPL capability in HD-mapping, robotics and construction.
The HPL offering is designed to work in a manner that protects user privacy, Verizon noted. User location data is not stored or shared, the company explained.
