Smart car technology research will transform the way Canadians drive

Professor Azzedine Boukerche of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is looking to create network protocols and applications for vehicular ad hoc and sensor networks (VANets) that will transform the way Canadians drive.

Professor Boukerche, Canada Research Chair in Large-Scale Distributed Interactive Simulations and Mobile Computing and Networking, is the lead researcher for the Developing Next Generation Intelligent Vehicular Networks and Applications (DIVA) network. This network is comprised of several universities, government organizations and private sector companies. The project represents the first Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Strategic Network ever hosted at the University of Ottawa.

Last year, Azzedine Bourkerche’s research benefitted from a $5 million grant from NSERC and an additional $3 million from industry partners towards large-scale research.

The work of Professor Boukerche and his team will allow high-speed communication among vehicles and ground-based infrastructure, and increase driving comfort. The leading edge technologies developed will significantly improve efficiency, productivity and general mobility on the road, while reducing threats to travel safety and security, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the VANets will introduce applications that will make travelling long distances more comfortable for passengers, such as location-aware services, multimedia streaming, local news, social networking, tourist information and alert messages on streets and highways.

Recently, Professor Boukerche received the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his significant services as a founding leader of several workshops and fostering an international research community on performance evaluation of wireless ad hoc networking and mobile computing. Meanwhile, he and his team are continuing their exciting research for the DIVA network, research that will have an impact on anyone who gets behind the wheel.

Photo: Mélanie Provencher
Text: Faculty of Engineering
Published: June 2012