Continental to increase radar sensor production in Philippines and China

To meet the growing demand of Asian vehicle manufacturers for surrounding sensors, production of short-range radar sensors was launched in Calamba in the Philippines towards the end of 2015. Short-range radar sensors perform functions like Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Assist. Driving forces include legal requirements, but the customers’ demands for more safety and comfort are also of key importance. Additionally, the production of the Multi Function Camera with Lidar will be launched in autumn this year. The plan is to produce over ten million short range radar sensors and one million camera systems in Calamba in the future.

In China, the number of vehicles is keeping pace with the rapid growth of the Chinese economy. Increased focus is also being placed on vehicle safety, which is one of the most important factors in the purchasing decisions of Chinese consumers. To address this trend and strengthen Continental’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems presence in China, a new management position was created and Neil Tang was announced as the first Head of ADAS business unit China.

Along with the new Head of ADAS Engineering China, another new position was also filled to further expand the local presence and to supervise series projects together with international and Chinese vehicle manufacturers. A further milestone is the launch of long-range radar sensor production for various customers, planned for 2018 in Shanghai. The goal is to produce several million sensors annually.

Assisted and automated driving – on the road to Vision Zero

The key to “zero accidents” is the development from assisted to automated driving. Advanced driver assistance systems are already helping to prevent accidents, or at the very least to mitigate their consequences. They help the driver to perform his driving tasks and assist him in the safe and efficient operation of the vehicle. When the vehicle is in the automated driving mode, the results achieved by

these increasingly intelligent surrounding sensors show that the vehicle reacts faster than a human driver to traffic situations, that it completely ignores potential distractions and that it drives more safely than a human being ever could. Continental develops the necessary components and systems for automated driving all over the world, in

Europe and the USA, in Japan and in China – and 2014 saw Continental receive permission to test its automated driving systems on public roads in Japan for the first time. The company has its own test centre for development and testing in Mombetsu on Hokkaido Island in northern Japan. With the development of another vehicle for China, Continental recently increased its global testing and development capabilities yet again. The Chinese team is responsible for the development of components and algorithms as well as the validation of automated driving systems and functions in China locally.