Continental Opens up the Connected Car to Developer Community

Press Release

Continental Opens up the Connected Car to Developer Community

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  Holistic Connectivity for intelligent and flexible vehicle infotainment
  
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  Cloud terminal transfers applications from the head unit to the cloud
  
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  Open development platform also available to developers without automotive knowledge
  
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  Framework further developed together with the developer community
  

Shanghai, China, June 6, 2017. The new Continental cloud terminal offers maximum flexibility in the cockpit. Applications that used to be integrated directly in the head unit have now moved over to the cloud, where they are processed before being displayed on a powerful browser. This ensures that the system is always up-to-date and that new functions can be added at any time. In addition, the terminal uses HTML5 technology and Java Script, which not only enables developers to create applications platform-independently, but also allows data to be displayed on various screens with different resolutions.

The cloud terminal also acts as the driver’s digital assistant, analyzing the driver’s habits at different times of the day and week. On this basis, it can automatically set the entertainment program to play, for example, the driver’s favorite radio station on the way to work in the morning. Other applications, such as the navigation system, can be similarly optimized. For example, if the driver goes to the gym every Wednesday afternoon, this route is displayed automatically when the system is started.

In addition, the system can be supplemented with new functions and micro-services even after the start of production and therefore be kept up-to-date at all times. Common Internet of Things solutions, including IBM Red Node, IFTTT (If This Then That) and others, as well as standard interfaces such as MQTT (Message Queue Telemetry Transport) or the REST (Representational State Transfer) interface are the basis for this.

For the International Motor Show (IAA), held in Frankfurt/Main (Germany) in September 2017 Continental is making the cloud terminal accessible to a wide developer community, far beyond the boundaries of the automotive industry. This is also made possible by standardized interfaces, open protocols and support from standard software development tools so that even programmers without specialized automotive knowledge can put forward their services, applications and ideas. During development, they can use their preferred programming language and enter the dialog directly via various open protocols.

“Our open approach results in a completely flexible infotainment system, from which drivers and automotive manufacturers can both benefit,” explains Johann Hiebl, head of the Infotainment & Connectivity business unit at Continental. “It allows drivers to obtain new applications quickly and easily, which will make their journey easier, and automotive manufacturers can roll out applications across various models and vehicle classes at little cost.”

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for the 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 transport. In 2016, Continental generated sales of €40.5 billion and currently employs more than 227,000 people in 56 countries.

In the Interior division, everything revolves around in-vehicle information management and beyond. The range of products for various vehicle categories includes instruments, multifunction displays, head-up displays, control devices, access and tire information systems, radios, infotainment and operating systems, climate control units, software and cockpits, telematics solutions and services, and intelligent transport systems. The Interior division employs more than 43,000 people worldwide and generated sales of €8.3 billion in 2016.

Press contact

Sebastian Fillenberg

Continental

External Communications

Interior Division

Sodener Strasse 9

65824 Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany

Phone: [phone]

[e-mail]

This press release is available in the following languages: German, English

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Your contact:

Sebastian Fillenberg, phone: [phone]