LG Electronics showcased its cutting-edge Internet of Things - Non-Terrestrial Networks (IoT-NTN) technology at the 5G Automotive Association conference in Paris, France, from May 12 to 15. The highlight of the event was a live demonstration conducted throughout Paris, featuring a vehicle equipped with next-generation IoT-NTN-based Telematics Control Units. This demonstration marked the first instance of uninterrupted, conversation-level voice communication while seamlessly switching between terrestrial and non-terrestrial network environments.
IoT-NTN is an advanced communication network system that integrates satellite communication and high-altitude platform stations. This system ensures connectivity via satellite in areas unreachable by terrestrial networks such as 3G, 4G and 5G. It supports crucial applications like autonomous driving, vehicle tracking, remote control and emergency communication.
The technology is particularly valuable in remote environments such as deserts, oceans and mountainous regions, or in disaster-stricken areas where terrestrial infrastructure is compromised, making it a vital component of future mobility aimed at enhancing driver safety. To further advance this capability, LG has developed a next-generation solution that incorporates AI-powered voice compression technology into its IoT-NTN system. This innovation significantly reduces the size of voice messages, overcoming the data limitations that previously confined satellite communication to short emergency text messages, and expanding its capabilities to include voice transmission.
As a result, voice message transmission speeds are more than ten times faster. The technology goes beyond simple voice message exchange, enabling actual two-way conversations. In emergency situations, vehicle occupants can press a single emergency call button to send a voice-based distress signal and describe the situation without needing to type a text message or perform additional actions.
