The Role of IOT in Enhancing Autonomous Vehicle Performance

The convergence of Internet of Things and autonomous vehicle technologies marks a major advancement in engineering and urban mobility. This paper explores how interconnected sensors and devices enable AVs to evolve from operating independently to functioning as part of an intelligent, integrated transportation network. Through IoT, AVs can gather and interpret large volumes of real-time data on traffic patterns, road conditions, and environmental factors, improving both safety and route efficiency. Central to this integration are Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) links that support navigation in complex urban settings, Vehicle-to- Vehicle (V2V) communication that enables coordinated driving, and edge computing that ensures rapid, low-latency decision- making. The paper also highlights the challenges of this connectivity, including the demand for strong cybersecurity to protect against vulnerabilities and the complexity of handling massive data flows.