Continental Reduces Fuel Consumption with Intelligent Use of Navigation Data

HANOVER – September 22, 2008: At the 62nd IAA Commercial Vehicles 2008, the international automotive supplier Continental is premiering its concept for a control unit that provides other vehicle systems with a digital map preview. The eHorizon (for electronic horizon) constantly sends small data packages via the vehicles data network (CAN bus). These packages contain information about the stretch of road ahead as well as topographic information. With this information, the engine control unit, the transmission control device or the driver assistance systems can optimize their respective functions. When eHorizon is used in commercial vehicles and passenger cars, Continental expects a reduction in fuel consumption, greater traffic safety and enhanced ride comfort.

The eHorizon has numerous possible applications. In modern engines, engine management functions primarily using the available sensor data regarding air and fuel quality, of course taking into account the wishes of the driver. Based upon eHorizon's digital map data, the stretch of road ahead and its topography can be put to use in the engine management. Here, Continental feels it is possible to reduce fuel consumption in various driving situations. A vehicle's electric energy management can also be improved with eHorizon. From a Continental perspective, it will be possible to switch certain functions on or off, depending on the road up ahead. The shifting strategy can also be optimized using eHorizon data. The automatic transmission then recognizes a curve or incline directly ahead and, accordingly, waits to shift into a higher gear.

The eHorizon concept from Continental is modular in design. In a basic version, a control unit is integrated in the vehicle that precisely calculates the respective vehicle position with the help of GPS, gyroscope and wheel speed information. As an alternative, the navigation system provides the eHorizon data. The Continental Multi Media Platform (MMP) has already been prepared for this. The map data is then continuously transmitted in a standardized data format to the other control devices via the CAN bus. The individual control units then recreate the virtual road image with the help of an integrated program, referred to as the "Reconstructor". The underlying data protocol is in line with the ADASIS standard and can be adapted individually to the vehicle manufacturer. Each new data package ensures that the oldest data package is then deleted from the control unit's memory. This effective memory management reduces the system requirements when implementing new functions. If Continental's Multi Media Platform (MMP) with integrated navigation system is installed in the vehicle, the MMP then prepares the data and provides it via the CAN bus.

With the use of eHorizon, Continental anticipates fuel savings and greater traffic safety. In the area of driver assistance, the eHorizon functionality is already enhancing comfort in one car model by using the ACC system in combination with the navigation system. With the new concept, the application field is being expanded significantly. In addition, Continental offers its customers a complete eHorizon development package in order to test new functions already at an early stage, thus bringing them to production readiness at short notice. In the medium and long term, Continental considers the eHorizon to be a key component for increasing energy efficiency in hybrid and electric vehicles.

The Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

Supplying both, OEMs and the Aftermarket worldwide, the Interior Division of Continental AG develops and produces electronic systems which allow the information in a vehicle to be controlled and communicated according to the requirements of the driver and the driving situation. The Division achieves annual sales of more then € 6 billion (based on 2006 figures) with a workforce of more than 33,000 employees currently. The range of products includes instruments clusters and multifunctional displays, control units, electronic car entry systems, tire information systems, climate control systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, telematic solutions as well as cockpit modules and systems. The Interior Division develops vehicle electronics enabling car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communication, Internet access and the seamless integration of mobile devices (car-to-device). The focus on systems integration offers customers less complexity and ensures efficient and cost-effective solutions for the management of information in passenger cars as well as commercial and special vehicles.