Continental Reacts to Stricter Exhaust Gas and Safety Requirements for Scooters and Small Motorcycles

• Consistent technology transfer from passenger car to motorized two-wheeled vehicles
• Engine management and exhaust gas regulation with high efficiency
• Radar sensor eliminates the need to check blind spots while changing lanes, eliminating reaction time
• Greater safety with the MiniMAB one-channel anti-lock brake system

Regensburg/Frankfurt, July 05, 2018. The technology company Continental is responding to increasing global demands from politics, industry, trade, environmental associations and consumers regarding mobility with a broad range of technical services for small engine two and three-wheeled vehicles. Motorized two-wheelers aren’t just seen as recreational vehicles in Asia, but rather as essential means of transportation for a large percentage of the population. Large-volume markets India and China in particular are implementing stricter exhaust gas and safety regulations for many different vehicle categories and demanding customized, flexible and specific solutions, especially for single-cylinder vehicles in displacement classes below 150 cubic centimeters (ccm). Two-wheel vehicle experts at Continental are focused on technical solutions for engine and exhaust gas management for a clean environment and on offering added safety for drivers of two-wheeled vehicles through highly functional assistance systems. In India, for example, 95.5 percent of total traffic accidents involve motorized vehicles. Two-wheeled vehicles were involved in more traffic accidents than any other vehicle category, with 28.8 percent of total accidents in 2015. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 5.6 of every 100,000 people in India die from an accident with a two-wheeled vehicle. The figure in China is somewhat lower at 5.1 deaths per 100,000. In Germany, in comparison, the number is 0.8 per 100,000 people. ARASTM supports the driver’s traffic perception in complex driving situations, increasing driving safety. The modular design used for all of the systems allows engineers to offer customized solutions for both everyday and commercial small-engine vehicles – called commuter vehicles –for different markets, as well as trade and legal regulations worldwide.

In the emission clean-up area as well, the focus is on using technology in new and clever ways to generate the best possible efficiency and fulfill diverse market and customer demands. The position of the catalyst, its cell density and the use of structured foils in the metal substrate play a key role in determining efficiency – including from an economic standpoint. “The closer the catalyst is installed to the engine, the more effective it will be. System costs for exhaust-gas after-treatment are also reduced at the same time” explains Sven Seifert, manager of Catalysts for the 2-Wheelers & Powersports business unit at Continental.

Technology transfer allows smaller, motorized two-wheeled vehicles to benefit from achievements in mobile safety technology in ARASTM advanced rider assistance systems. Blind Spot Detection monitors the blind spot, a new feature for the commuter vehicle class. To function reliably in high-density traffic and everyday commuting situations, systems from the passenger car and motorcycle segment were adapted for their specific use in these pragmatic vehicles to offer drivers the best possible support.

Blind Spot Detection uses a backward-facing short-range radar that assesses traffic to the rear and sides and notifies drivers of critical situations when changing lanes. There are a variety of visualization options that warn drivers of vehicles in their blind spots. For example, a clearly structured LED interface in the side mirrors provides information to the driver on surrounding traffic using visual signals precisely when he needs it. The system’s high level of sensitivity detects traffic movements in just fractions of a second, adding safety in commuter traffic, which often involves high relative speeds and spontaneous lane changes. “Even the least expensive version of our advanced rider assistance systems completely fulfills these difficult everyday requirements” ensures Christian Pfeiffer, ARASTM project manager for the area of 2-Wheelers and Powersports at Continental.

Plenty of people know how to step on the gas, but few know how to brake properly. Every meter counts in emergency braking, but the best way to achieve short braking distances is with high brake pressure, which can lock wheels at a certain point. The one-channel ABS MiniMAB offers a great amount of additional safety by ensuring the front wheel doesn’t lock up, avoiding a crash. The MiniMAB was developed specifically for cost-sensitive markets like Asia with a focus on scooters and motorcycles with moderate engine displacement that only have one hydraulic disk brake on the front wheel. Thanks to its small and lightweight design (285 cm2, 420 grams), it is an optimal addition to a variety of vehicle types and requires minimal technical effort, since only one wheel speed sensor is required. It works with even the smallest engine displacements – a highly beneficial and forward-thinking technology transfer. “ABS systems make driving two-wheeled vehicles much safer, helping to achieve our Vision Zero – the vision of accident-free driving”, says Lothar Kienle, development manager of Motorcycle ABS for the 2-Wheelers & Powersports business unit.