At this year’s IAA Mobility in Munich, Continental will be showcasing its latest solutions in the innovation areas of assisted and automated driving, high-performance computers and software for server-based architectures, safety technologies, user experience, and sustainability.
Conti GreenConcept, the technology company's integrated sustainability profile, sets new standards as the development engineers and material experts have worked on three levels to achieve the benefits. As a result, over 50% of the tyre contains a high proportion of traceable, renewable and recycled materials and the resource-saving lightweight technology ensures an extended service life.
The proportion of renewable raw materials used in the Conti GreenConcept is 35%; the organic materials used include natural rubber from dandelions, silicate from the ashes of rice husks, and various vegetable oils and resins, which significantly reduce the amount of crude oil-based materials. In addition, the Conti GreenConcept is made from 17% recycled materials, including polyester extracted from recycled PET bottles.
Therefore, it is 25% lower than that of a tyre with class A rolling resistance according to the EU tyre label, which extends their range by up to 6% in the case of electric vehicles.
Another advantage of the tire is its renewable tread. The Conti GreenConcept can be replaced multiple times with little effort in terms of time and materials. This vastly improves resource conservation because renewing the tread three times would ensure that the material used for the casing is halved in relation to its total mileage.
Sustainable and responsible business practices
Nikolai Setzer, CEO, Continental, said, “From as early as 2022, we will make our global business for emission-free vehicles completely carbon-neutral. By 2040, we are aiming for zero carbon emissions at all of our plants worldwide. Finally, by 2050 at the latest, we plan to be carbon-neutral along the entire value chain.”
Autonomous Driving
At the trade fair, the company will demonstrate how its innovations can help in everyday driving situations, such as an automated parking feature that ensures greater safety and convenience and a service system that can independently wash their vehicle or charge their vehicle battery while parked.
High-performance Computers, Software
Instead of a complex network of numerous microcontrollers, a handful of high-performance computers and zone control units take over the central management of all vehicle functions in the cockpit, for chassis systems and automated driving.
“Everything depends on the software, which is one of the top skills of our approximately 20,000 software and IT specialists with their many years of experience in the application of information technology in all vehicle areas,” explained Setzer regarding the company’s successful start of production in this area. “In 2020, we were the first automotive supplier in the world to put a high-performance vehicle computer into production. This key centrepiece has since evolved into many others that we are showcasing here at the trade fair,” he added.
AMBIENC3
As part of the AMBIENC3 – a combination of “ambience” and “3rd space,” the company will showcase vehicle interiors designed by Continental. The concept of the so-called third space refers to a common space that is different from the home (first space) and the workplace (second space) or combines the two. The AMBIENC3 connects worlds and the current themes of design, functionality, sustainability and personalisation. Everything about the concept car is new and innovative, including the design, the look and feel, and the lighting.
The car also features the Ac2ated Sound system, offering immersive audio without speakers, and the ProViu360 driver assistance system, which gives the driver much better situational awareness thanks to a camera surround system.
In addition, it has intelligent glass control with adjustable dimming and heating functions, which saves energy and ensures exceptional comfort and convenience. The built-in solar charger also uses photovoltaics to generate environmentally friendly energy. And the eTravel.Companion is a software-programmed travel companion that provides the driver with interactive and personalised support during the journey with tips and recommendations relating to the route, refuelling or vehicle condition. The unique feature of the innovative technology is that the eTravel.Companion is connected to the user’s smartphone, not to a single car. In this way, the full range of services can be used in any vehicle – which is a great advantage, for example, when sharing or hiring cars. The system can continuously learn and offer individually tailored support for many facets of travel. In addition, these connected and smart solutions offer improved climate protection and accident prevention.