Continental India collaborates with Universities for Research on Automated Driving Technologies

Technology company Continental engages with top engineering institutions in India for cutting-edge research and to build competencies on niche ADAS functionalities that paves the way towards automated driving. In the last few years, Continental has forged partnerships with several academic institutions, including Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D), Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B), Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-D), among others, for collaboration in this rapidly evolving technology area.

Continental India is currently conducting pioneering research in scenario perception (especially enhancing safety towards pedestrians, bicycles, and animals) with on-road protection from pothole and speed bumps. Typically, an ADAS application amalgamates multiple sensor inputs (radar, camera, and lidar) to increase safety and comfort through assistance in driver actions such as monitoring the surroundings, steering, braking, and parking. The ongoing R&D, immensely aided by deep machine learning and next-generation artificial intelligence, continues to bring in technologies that offer better precision and safety by predicting unforeseen driving scenarios in different road conditions across the globe. Continental India’s strategic partnerships aim to support three key strategic pillars – technological advancement, creating an industry-ready talent pool, and enabling open innovation in the ecosystem.

According to Praveen Kumar, Head of Engineering, Sensorics – ADAS at Continental’s Technical Center India (TCI), “India is recognized as a global base for top engineering talent. We actively engage in high-synergy collaborations with leading research institutions in India. Our research programs aim to push the boundaries of what advanced driver-assistant technologies make possible today. We are committed to the belief that more intelligent vehicles lead to safer roads.”

ADAS technologies are still relatively nascent in its adoption in the Indian market, although it is gaining increased awareness. Continental India is one of the key drivers for the acceptance of ADAS by developing needed technology advances along with helping direct the public and policy discussion towards a safer future for Indian road users.

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2019, Continental generated sales of €44.5 billion and currently employs more than 233,000 people in 59 countries and markets.

​The company has been present in India for close to 50 years, through technology partnerships (Continental Tires since 1974) and joint ventures for its various businesses. Today the tier 1 automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and an industrial partner operate across India – with close to 9000 employees across 15 locations, including eight plants that cater to the Indian market and a Technical Center that supports Continental’s global R&D activities.