TYRES: Continental shows off new car technologies at CES

The Consumer Electronics Show, the world’s
largest exhibition of latest gizmos and gadgets,
is nirvana for tech-heads around the world.
Virtual reality headsets, ultra high definition
televisions, miniature computers, even Audi’s
Laserlight concept, anything with a microchip can
be found at CES.
All the big smart technology companies are there,
Sony is talking about their new PlayStation
streaming service, LG are showcasing their
massive 105-inch LED television and Continental
are talking about... tyres. Yes, you read that
right. Continental is at CES 2014, a cutting edge
tech convention, talking about car tyres. Just...
hear us out.
CES may be the last place you expect to see
Continental, but the tyre company has used the
convention to showcase their roadmap for the
future of its tyre technology.
Working closely with IBM, Continental has
unveiled new technologies dubbed “Connected
Electronic Horizon” and “Smart Speech,” as well
as new smart sensors to connect vehicles to
smart phones, allowing apps to open and close car
doors, control massaging seats and even
integrate into vehicle displays.
“Not only are drivers demanding a more digital
lifestyle, connecting the vehicle is opening up a
vast field of opportunities for services to make
driving safer, more efficient and more
comfortable,” said Helmut Matschi, head of
Continental’s Interior Division.
“Together with IBM we can now demonstrate new
possibilities for the fully connected vehicle,”
Matschi elaborated.
But what will these new technologies actually do?
“Connected Electronic Horizon” technology
actually uses map data to anticipate the road
ahead and can even send and receive information
from vehicle to vehicle. This will allow drivers to
get real-time data from the other vehicles on the
road, allowing them to predict the road conditions
ahead and adjust their driving strategies
accordingly.
Continental believes this technology, the ability
for vehicles to communicate autonomously with
one another, will be pivotal in paving the way for
more advanced automated self-driving
technologies.
Continental’s “Smart Speech” technology is also
on display at CES, integrating IBM’s interactive
dialogue into vehicles to form a sort of artificial
intelligence, allowing the driver to communicate
seamlessly with their vehicle. This will allow
vehicles to give personalised advice to certain
drivers on driving behaviour and style.
Finally, Continental showed off their “ContiSeal”
and “ContiSilent” tyre technologies. “ContiSeal”
is a special viscous layer incorporated into the
tyre that can instantly seal punctures. Not quite
the reinflating tyres found on Speed Racer’s
Mach 5, but it is one step closer.
“ContiSilent,” on the other hand, is a special
layer of foam used to dampen road noise and
increase occupant comfort.
Continental is making huge strides in automotive
technologies, and with the help of IBM, it doesn’t
look like they are so out of place at this year’s
CES after all.