Continental Joins Hands with Oxford University to Research Artificial Intelligence

Leading tire manufacturer, Continental AG has signed a three-year partnership agreement with Oxford University to conduct joint research in the field of artificial intelligence. Continental will work with Oxford’s Engineering Science department to conduct a study focusing on the possible uses and development of artificial intelligence algorithms that can have an impact on mobility applications in the future. Using deep-learning algorithms could potentially enhance  highly-reliable visual object detection and human–machine dialogue in the future to facilitate applications like autonomous driving. The first stage of the three-year partnership will involve new postdoctoral research positions at Oxford, and the research scope and the timeframe are likely to be extended at a later date.

Commenting on the agreement, Kurt Lehmann, corporate technology officer at Continental said that working with leading research institutions is of great importance to the company. Such collaborations can play a crucial role in helping the company to meet persistent requirements from customers to shape the mobility of the future.

Eventually, Continental is expecting the joint effort to yield findings on the use of artificial intelligence methods, especially in the areas of driverless driving, intelligent warning systems to reduce the scope for accidents, systems for future vehicle access systems, and facilitation of driver-vehicle dialogue.

Lionel Tarassenko, head of the Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford said that he was delighted with this new, important collaboration between Continental and the university’s world-leading vision and information engineers as he said the partnership would serve to underpin technology developments for mobility of the future.

Demetrio Aiello, head of Artificial Intelligence & Robotics at Continental said that Continental’s vision is a world in which the transportation of people and goods is fully automated and seamless, thus allowing people more time and mental resources for other tasks. Continental will bring its deep technological expertise and competence to the partnership while Oxford will offer best-in-class algorithmic competence and an extremely innovative environment. This will help to transform Continental’s vision into reality. With Continental’s help Oxford can see how their research can be translated into new products and services for mobility of a future world.