Cohda Wireless, an Adelaide-based company that has developed Wi-Fi collision-avoidance technology for motor vehicles, has appointed Fabien Cure as its chief engineer. Cure is an experienced automotive wireless manager, and will be responsible for the development and commercialization of Cohda's automotive products.

He also worked as a wireless design researcher for Philips Semiconductor, now part of NXP Semiconductor, and later worked as the automotive product and account manager for CSR (News - Alert). 

His experience in developing robust Bluetooth and Wi-Fi solutions is much needed for creating new vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) products.

Cohda Wireless was recently selected by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to offer a wide range of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) radios for the Safety Pilot Model Deployment, a real-life test of Wi-Fi collision avoidance technology on Ann Arbor, Michigan roads using 2,800 vehicles.

The Cohda technology and products are based on a Wi-Fi-like standard called Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), and is recognized by its international standard as IEEE (News - Alert) 802.11p. The company’s unique patented technology specifically addresses the most challenging problems of V2V, such as multipath interference.

“We make Wi-Fi work for the moving car. Our patented technology enhances radio reception; the car can see around corners when needed,” said Paul Alexander, Cohda’s CTO. “The Cohda radio and supporting software uses GPS and a wireless broadcasting standard similar to Wi-Fi, called DSRC. Our MK3 radio and network software provide a complete solution for OEMs and their suppliers. We have also developed roadside broadcasting units. Today we can provide an end-to-end complete solution, being able to communicate from a Cohda MK3 radio built into the car to a roadside radio.”