Continental's in-vehicle internet connectivity solutions

Continental and Deutsche Telekom unveil new features and best-in-class in-car internet connectivity solutions at CeBIT. AutoLinQ goes into production and is launched on the market to support the next generation of vehicles.

Continental AG, a leading global automotive parts supplier, is actively promoting the development of in-vehicle services, infotainment and communications into new areas. The company has cooperated with Deutsche Telekom to launch a fully open, flexible and future-oriented in-vehicle infotainment system based on the AutoLinQ communication network and Android development platform. Using mobile radio frequency links, cars can connect to mobile phones, home computers and theater systems, online databases and various Internet value-added services similar to smartphone "applications" anytime and anywhere. At the 2010 CeBIT exhibition in Hanover, Germany (March 2-6, 2010), Continental AG and telecommunications professional company Deutsche Telekom demonstrated a concept car equipped with infrastructure functions.

In recent years, the Internet has become a media that dominates information, communication and infotainment. More and more people are always online in the office, at home, and even when roaming. However, mobile Web access is not yet available in cars. Ralf Lenninger, director of strategic research at Continental's Body Electronics Systems Division, pointed out: "User friendliness has not yet been achieved during road driving, there is a lack of innovative content that specifically meets the needs of drivers and passengers, and there is no feasible solution for the comprehensive integration of technology, infrastructure and content."

However, Continental is committed to solving these problems and has achieved major technological breakthroughs. At CeBIT, Continental is launching trend-setting solutions that eliminate previous barriers to in-car Internet applications and expand its innovative concept of "Simplifying Your Driving" launched in 2009, which can control various functions intuitively, without distraction, and at high speeds. From automatic song requests to football portals, various applications can provide attractive content and a large number of additional functions. Deutsche Telekom's proprietary technology ensures smooth communication between the car and the server as well as rich content and infrastructure. The two parties are working closely together and are the only provider of this system, which will facilitate easy integration of the system in future cars. "Based on this concept, we are leading a new generation of in-vehicle information, communication and infotainment systems," Lenninger pointed out, "just like the evolution from landlines to mobile phones in the field of communications."

Drivers and passengers can experience the "Car View" function, which Continental uses to provide them with personalized Internet content and applications reliably, quickly and easily while the car is driving at high speed. AutoLinQ can read emails or read out text messages based on user requests. Users can also click on a specific application to get information about the song playing on the radio; click again to download the song to the built-in disk. Partner Deutsche Telekom has also launched features such as an online phone book, which allows you to choose to directly dial the call object listed in the phone book or specify it as a navigation destination.

Thanks to the full connectivity, car owners can operate the system using devices such as mobile phones even when they are not in the car. Continental and Deutsche Telekom enable car owners to check the vehicle status and current location anytime and anywhere through "Mobile View". "Are the doors locked and the lights off?" "Are the windows closed?" "Where is the car now?" All this information can be seen by users on the display of their mobile devices such as mobile phones. Or, when encountering a downpour, car owners on the golf course can remotely close the car sunroof. Other functions can be added at any time. For example, as alternative drive technologies continue to gain popularity, Continental can provide electric car owners with "Mobile View" to manage battery charging.

"Home View" establishes a closer connection between people's cars. In this application environment, Continental's solution supports real-time data transmission between cars and home computers. Address databases, music tracks, navigation routes, etc. can be managed synchronously at home or on the in-car system. As a leading supplier of automotive electronics, Continental's solution can access other electronic component interfaces in the car and provide detailed vehicle status reports. With a click of the mouse, information such as tire pressure, oil quality or battery power can be displayed on the desktop system at home or in the repair room, which greatly facilitates routine maintenance and care of the car.

Partner View is the gateway to the future. Its core function is the AutoLinQ marketplace, where Continental, Deutsche Telekom and other partners offer certified additional applications for easy download. From customer service management and personalized news services or entertainment programs, office or secretarial services, advertising or special group services to restaurant recommendations, help desk search and special applications for football fans, Continental's demonstration car at CeBIT has the same rich functions as a mobile phone. With a simple click, the application can be downloaded and installed in a few seconds. Continental can help drivers arrange to watch the World Cup in South Africa according to their own situation. When the team of the individual's choice plays, the application can issue a reminder, broadcast it on the car radio or TV, or record it to Deutsche Telekom's home theater.

Continental has developed a system framework and provides a complete set of basic equipment together with high-level partners such as Deutsche Telekom. Through the AutoLinQ marketplace, Continental provides an application development platform for third parties, similar to the smartphone application development model, where third parties can quickly and conveniently develop various applications based on Android, the world's leading development tool. Before the end of this year, Continental will also provide developers with a software development kit and work with system partners and automakers to ensure reliable and smooth operation of the system through strict certification and standardized design guidance.

The system uses a powerful system-on-chip solution. Unlike home computers and mobile phones, these chips can meet the requirements of the demanding use environment of the automotive industry. In addition to the commonly used in-vehicle infotainment functions, the chips also support the Linux operating system and can run Android and JavaScript programs. The system to be launched by Continental can flexibly configure the operation of navigation, mobile phones, radios, music, and various AutoLinQ applications according to market and vehicle model requirements. This approach makes it easy to apply the solution to various vehicle models. T-Systems, the corporate customer department of Deutsche Telekom, combines information and communication technologies to support Internet access and small program operation during driving. T-Labs, the research and development center of Deutsche Telekom, has also configured the latest achievements into this solution.

Industry analysts believe that this solution is a decisive step in the right direction. Thilo Koslowski, vice president and chief automotive analyst at Gartner, pointed out that these functions are the evolution of high-tech smart games into popular applications. "In the past five years, like safety and energy saving, in-vehicle networks and access to relevant information have greatly promoted the development of consumer electronics products."

With sales of approximately 20 billion euros in 2009, Continental is one of the world's leading automotive parts suppliers. The Group's business covers brake systems, powertrain and chassis systems and components, instrumentation, infotainment systems, automotive electronics, tires and industrial rubber products, and is committed to improving driving safety and environmental protection. Continental is also an excellent partner in the field of automotive network communications. Currently, the Group has approximately 134,500 employees worldwide in 46 countries.

Continental Automotive Group's sales in 2009 were approximately 12 billion euros, with three divisions: Chassis & Safety Systems (sales in 2009 were 4.4 billion euros, with 27,000 employees), Powertrain Systems (sales in 2009 were 3.4 billion euros, with 24,000 employees), and Body Electronics Systems (sales in 2009 were 4.4 billion euros, with 27,000 employees). Currently, the Automotive Group has more than 130 branches around the world. As a partner of the passenger car and commercial vehicle industries, the Automotive Group develops and produces various innovative products and systems to further realize automotive modernization, and is committed to a new driving experience that is safe, environmentally friendly, economical, and comfortable.

The Chassis & Safety Systems Division develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake systems, chassis control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, airbag control systems, washing systems and electronic air suspension systems. Its core strength is the ContiGuard® system that integrates active and passive safety systems. The Powertrain Systems Division focuses on innovative and efficient automotive powertrain systems. Its rich product range covers gasoline and diesel injection systems, engine management systems, transmission controls, sensors and actuators, fuel supply systems, hybrid and electric vehicle components and systems. Information management is the core business of the Body Electronics Systems Division. The products of the Body Electronics Systems Division include instrument clusters and multi-function displays, control units, electronic car entry systems, tire monitoring systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, temperature control systems, in-vehicle information service solutions, and cockpit modules and systems.