“The
user experience is becoming an increasingly important decision criterion for
vehicle buyers. With our building blocks for an intuitive, safe, but above all,
attractive interaction between the driver and the vehicle in the BMW iX, as
well as our expertise in software development and systems integration, we help
to promote sustainable mobility”, said Nikolai Setzer, CEO Continental.
The
electronics architecture in the BMW iX bridges the gap from today’s distributed
to an integrated and centralised vehicle architecture of the future. Instead of
relying on multiple electronic control units, BMW’s new electric vehicle
concentrates the computing power of various functions in a few central computers.
Continental’s
powerful cockpit domain controller is responsible for various software
functions and manages all input and output devices in the vehicle interior
centrally, on a single electronic control unit. As such, it offers new
opportunities for a unique and consistent user experience throughout the
vehicle. This also merges functions from infotainment and instrumentation so
that they can now be freely configured. This allows maximum personalisation for
drivers and passengers as well as greater freedom in vehicle design. The
central high-performance computer also opens the door for third-party apps and
cloud services and supports hardware-independent software integration. Combined
with the solution for over-the-air software updates, this creates timeliness
and expandability for the cockpit.
The
cockpit and the human-machine interface are thus increasingly transforming from
being a driver’s workplace to a multimodal companion that adapts to the
driver’s needs. This approach is particularly evident in the display system in
the windshield and with the supplier’s driver camera in the curved display. The
head-up display projects all relevant information, such as speed, important
warning messages and navigation arrows, in the direct field of vision of the driver,
keeping your eyes on the road and close to the traffic.
The
driver camera in the instrument cluster of the BMW iX, which is seamlessly
integrated into the display, analyses camera images of the driver’s head
position, direction, eye opening and line of sight, ensuring that the driver is
warned in the event of distraction from traffic or lack of attention due to
fatigue. Accordingly, the two solutions additionally promote intuitive user
experience and safety in road traffic. Other electronic safety components of
Continental's active and passive safety, such as control units for brakes,
chassis and airbags as well as sensors, also contribute to driving safety in
order to ensure a holistically positive user experience.
Further solutions for a digital ecosystem
and a unique sense of space
Continental
is supplying the transceiver modules for the BMW iX electric vehicle, thus
contributing to the digitalization of the traditional car key. As an essential
building block for keyless access via smartphone, the mobility supplier’s
modules measure the distance from the smartphone to the vehicle. This allows
precise localization of the digital key for passive access and engine start
without the driver having to pick up the smartphone.
Thanks
to ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, the solution offers maximum convenience
combined with significantly improved security against relay attacks
(man-in-the-middle) for the first time. For instance, vehicle thieves are no
longer able to intercept and extend the key signal to gain access. The vehicle
owner can also generate up to 5 digital keys simultaneously via the My BMW app
from the vehicle manufacturer and conveniently share them with family and
friends.
The
global standard for passive vehicle access is being developed in the
cross-industry Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC). This is where companies from
the automotive industry, smartphone manufacturers and technology companies come
together to drive forward the networking between smartphones and vehicles. The
CCC also aims to identify further applications for vehicle localization based
on UWB technology. At the CCC, Continental, together with other renowned
companies such as BMW and Apple,is dedicating itself to the basic development
of the UWB radio standard for vehicle access.
In
the BMW iX, it is also possible to place the mobile device on the smartphone
terminal from Continental with integrated near field communication (NFC)
interface and charge it inductively, automatically establishing a connection
between the phone and infotainment system. In addition, the vehicle can also be
opened via NFC if the smartphone battery should run out.
With
the control system for the so-called Sky Lounge, Continental is also making the
panoramic roof intelligent. The large glass surface can be darkened
electronically depending on the light conditions. The headliner thus offers a
unique feeling of space, just like in nature.
Various
surface materials, such as covers for the instrument panel, door balustrade and
seats, from Continental also contribute to the pleasant indoor climate. The
décor material Acella Lux used stands for high comfort and low-emission
material properties.
Continental
also offers different summer and winter tire models for the BMW iX at local
tire dealers, whose performance is characterized by both short braking
distances and excellent handling characteristics on dry and wet roads alike.