Continental launches driving planner software to enable highly automated driving

According to foreign media reports, Continental has developed an innovative intelligent software for highly automated driving: Driving Planner, which can automatically perform complex driving operations. Continental has proved that autonomous driving is no longer a dream of the future or only suitable for advanced vehicle drivers equipped with special equipment. This latest invention, from software to key components such as the required sensor system, was developed by Continental. Frank Petznick, head of Continental's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems business unit, said: "With our rigorously tested autonomous driving technology that meets daily requirements, we will vigorously promote road safety. This solution shows that in typical, stressful ordinary driving situations, if intelligent technology can be used to support the driver, then autonomous driving has a high degree of safety and comfort."

(Photo source: Mainland China)

Next-generation drive planner – automatic merging onto highways

The Next Generation Driving Planner is an innovative software solution for Level 3 highly automated driving, which means that the vehicle can perform certain driving tasks independently without driver intervention. The software developed by Continental is a major leap forward in driving intelligence. The driving planner calculates precise decision variables from extensive sensor data to automatically master complex driving maneuvers on highways. To do this, the software calculates the traffic situation several seconds in advance and derives the best response from the vehicle. In particular, the latest solution calculates the combination of longitudinal and lateral movements in a harmonious, intelligent and timed interactive manner. Currently available systems, such as adaptive cruise control and lane change assistant, plan longitudinal and lateral movements independently of each other, for example, longitudinal movement with adaptive cruise control and lateral movement with lane change assistant. Continental's driving planner now calculates longitudinal and lateral movements simultaneously within a few seconds. This makes it possible to master complex maneuvers for highly automated driving.

(Photo source: Mainland China)

In the future, the new system will be able to relieve the driver of the burden. A typical example is entering the highway via the acceleration lane. The drive planner calculates this complex maneuver based on radar sensor and camera data and makes the best decision. Other software modules are responsible for actually executing the calculated driving maneuvers, so that the vehicle accelerates forward, merges into the traffic flow, and then accelerates according to the traffic flow and other road users. Another example: The vehicle is driving in the middle of a three-lane highway, with traffic jams on the right and faster traffic on the left. Suddenly, a car turns from the right into the middle lane. In a fraction of a second, the drive planner calculates the safest driving maneuvers from various possible options: braking in the lane, accelerating and merging into the left lane, braking or merging into the left lane after another vehicle.

Currently, the driving planner is able to calculate driving maneuvers of up to 130 km/h. Continental has now completed the development phase of the software system and plans to launch it in 2024.