One Step Beyond: Continental Wins 2016 AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award
- Center of Automotive Management and PricewaterhouseCoopers recognize most innovative projects in the automotive industry
- Continental given top grade as most innovative supplier of 2016
- V2X communication and Haptic Feedback Display secure first place
Schwalbach, May 2, 2016. Drawing on a wealth of ideas and innovative prowess, international technology company Continental this year once again won in the competition for the 2016 AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award in the "Interface and Connectivity" category. With 16 innovations, Continental generated the most projects in this classification, of which the jury rated nine as being of a particularly high standard. This opinion was confirmed by the automotive manufacturers, which also gave Continental first place in this category in a supplementary survey on innovative capabilities. The company's innovations in the field of V2X communication and in development of the Haptic Feedback Display were deemed particular strongpoints.
"With our developments in V2X communication and the Haptic Feedback Display, we are making mobility intelligent and minimizing driver distraction, and thereby ensuring greater safety on the road. Consequently, we are extremely proud that the Center of Automotive Management and PricewaterhouseCoopers have honored our projects with the AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award", comments Helmut Matschi, head of the Interior division and member of the Continental AG Executive Board.
Continued development of networked vehicles: Thanks to real time data the vehicle with dynamic eHorizon learns to look around the corner.
"Continental has been working successfully for years on the continued development of networked vehicles", says Prof. Stefan Bratzel, director of CAM and chairman of the jury. "With their innovations, this year they have again made a valuable contribution to the improvement of safety and comfort with regard to the key issue of connected cars."
Greater safety and comfort thanks to V2X communication and Haptic Feedback Display
The Haptic Feedback Display reduces driver distraction and improves safety. A cutaway of the Haptic Feedback Display illustrates the components which bring the haptic feedback to life.
In developing V2X communication, Continental has laid an important foundation for highly automated driving and for realizing Vision Zero, the company's vision of accident-free driving. Using V2X technology, vehicles can communicate with each other or with more vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians or cyclists, and thus be warned of imminent collisions.
The innovative enable the distinction of virtual keypad areas, without having to look at the display.
In addition, greater comfort and safety are provided by the Haptic Feedback Display, which the jury also emphasized. The touch display with tactile responses improves the increasingly complex human-machine interface by dispensing with the need for complex hand-eye coordination. Drivers operate the display with their fingers as usual, but receive tangible motion feedback confirming the requested operation. Accidental contact is also detected thanks to finely tuned force detection. This means that drivers can keep their eyes on the road at all times and do not have to drive blind while they operate the display.
Thanks to real time data the vehicle with dynamic eHorizon learns to look around the corner.
Years of expertise in evaluating the automotive innovation chain
This year marks the fifth time that the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have recognized the development expertise of the automotive industry, honoring the most innovative automobile manufacturers and suppliers of the year at a gala in Frankfurt am Main. For eleven years, the CAM has conducted an annual academic study to identify the most innovative companies in the automotive industry.
Sebastian Fillenberg
Head of External Communications
Continental Automotive