Paving the Way for Autonomous Trucks Continental Presents Modular Multi-sensor Solution

Continental is presenting an innovative sensor solution for
commercial vehicles at this year’s IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hanover (September 20 to 25). A
significant increase in transport volumes, enormous growth in the equipment rates of trucks with
new assistance systems and increasingly complex fleet management require innovative
technologies and products for efficient technology integration in the commercial vehicle business.
The multi-sensor system, also known as the Continental Sensor Array, can be mounted above the
windshield on the vehicle. Continental is thus presenting a compact, integrated solution for the
growing number of intelligent and automated driving systems in commercial vehicles. Furthermore,
higher levels of automation such as L4 require a larger number of different sensors that can be
installed intelligently, quickly, and safely. In the comprehensive solution, all integrated sensors –
lidar, radar, cameras – for adaptive cruise control, emergency braking and blind spot assist as well
as automated driving functions are pre-calibrated and coordinated with each other. This
significantly simplifies the installation of many sensors, their integration into the vehicle architecture
and the complex process of calibration. In addition, the effort for maintenance and thus the
downtimes of vehicles are reduced. Continental is thus helping to make commercial vehicles and
logistics companies fit for the mobility of tomorrow.

Compact, modular multi-sensor solution for safe driving with commercial vehicles
The market for automated driving is growing substantially – commercial vehicles play a key role in
this. Especially on long distances between logistics centers – from “hub to hub” – innovative
assistance systems are already contributing to significantly increased safety and will continue to
revolutionize the transport business, right up to autonomous trucks on the motorways. Sensors,
software, and intelligent connectivity concepts are the basis for this. As a leading system expert in
radar, lidar and camera solutions for assisted and automated driving, Continental sees the intelligent
combination of these different technologies as a decisive added value in terms of safety. “With the
Continental Sensor Array, we are demonstrating a tailor-made system solution approach for
commercial vehicles,” says Claudia Fründt, Head of Market Trucks Autonomous Mobility Business
Area at Continental. “We see great potential in automated and ultimately autonomous driving in the
commercial vehicle sector, especially in view of the high number of downtimes. Highly complex
sensor systems are necessary for essential, holistic environment perception. Our solution offers
uncomplicated assembly and calibration of multiple sensor systems in a single, compact module.”
Development, calibration, sensor care, updates: a one-stop service
With the new multi-sensor system, Continental offers everything from a single source when it
comes to safety-relevant sensor technology: sensors, central computing units for control,
calibration of the individual sensors among each other, and calibration of the overall solution when
mounted on the vehicle. “A multi-sensor system in a compact solution offers vehicle manufacturers
and users many advantages,” explains Dr. Andree Hohm, Head of Innovation Line Driverless
Autonomous Mobility Business Area at Continental. “Radar, lidar and cameras are pre-calibrated
and matched to each other. The effort for the final calibration of the sensor solution during
assembly, the effort for the assembly of the sensor systems themselves and, finally, for the
maintenance of the vehicles is significantly reduced. When trucks drive autonomously and are on
the road around the clock, our sensor array can be easily replaced for maintenance work, for
example. In this way, costly downtimes can be avoided.” In addition, the electronic architecture and
wiring harness in commercial vehicles are significantly streamlined – and later updates can be
implemented quickly. Sensors for new assistance systems can be easily integrated into the
compact solution. The overall sensor system does not require any fundamental modifications to the
driver’s cab or vehicle body for future generations of trucks. It can also be mounted on existing
generations of modern trucks, provided that the on-board electrical system is prepared for this.

Cleaning and air conditioning of the sensor units are also simplified: Continental has an automatic
“Camera and Sensor Cleaning, Cooling and Heating” system in its portfolio. All sensors
independently monitor the degree of their pollution. Camera lenses are automatically cleaned by
water jet. In addition, intelligent thermal management ensures the flawless use of sensor
technology in all weather conditions.
Camera, lidar, radar – multi-sensor system for safe mobility
The combination of different sensor systems and their redundancy is crucial for the reliable use of
driver assistance systems and autonomous driving. All sensors must be calibrated individually and
coordinated with each other in combination. Continental sees the joint use of the three sensor
systems – camera, lidar and radar – as the ideal solution for reliable recognition of objects and
holistic detection of the vehicle’s surroundings. The technology company has more than 25 years
of experience in the development and integration of individually tailored, safe and robust sensor
solutions from individual components to complete systems. To date, Continental has brought more
than 150 million sensors for assisted and automated driving functions on the road.
At the IAA TRANSPORTATION 2022, visitors to the Continental booth (Hall 12, Booth C29) will not
only experience the multi-sensor solution for commercial vehicles, but also many other solutions
for the major challenges of the mobile future in freight transport.