Press Release
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Updated driver information for increased driver
support
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Innovations for vehicle instrumentation will be part of the Frankfurt Motor Show
IAA 2013 presentation by Continental
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Autostereoscopic 3D displays in the instrument cluster
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Free programmable instrument clusters will open up new possibilities
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Larger head-up display marks the next evolution in driver information
Babenhausen (Germany), July 30, 2013. The international automotive supplier Continental is
developing the elements of the future human-machine interface (HMI). Larger and higher
quality display surfaces will support the driver in future vehicle generations. They help the
driver to fully exploit the possibilities of their vehicle: "Modern cars offer drivers more and
more support," says Eelco Spoelder, head of the Continental Business Unit Instrumentation
& Driver HMI. "The development of new driver assistance systems and the evolution of
automated driving functionalities also need advancements in the human-machine interface.
During the Frankfurt Motor Show, we will present a sneak-preview of these technologies."
Continental is not only integrating high-quality displays into the instrument cluster; the whole
instrument cluster can just be one large display. The first use of such a free-programmable
instrument cluster with innovative display capabilities can be found in the new 2013 S-Class
from Mercedes-Benz. At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA 2013), Continental will also
show the next evolutionary step for the head-up display (HUD): ten years after the first series
production start of a full-color HUD, the company shows a HUD with a much larger display
that is also capable of supporting the driver by introducing Augmented Reality functionality.
A whole new experience: The free-programmable instrument cluster
For years, the display area in the instrument cluster has been gaining in importance. "Our
usage habits of consumer electronics directly influence the way we interact with displays in
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general," says Spoelder, "photo-realistic images and 3D animations are ways to realize
intuitive driver information in the instrument cluster." Continental, for example, is currently
examining how autostereoscopic 3D displays in the instrument cluster can assist the driver in
a useful way, in its ergonomics laboratory in Babenhausen/Germany. This technique also
has potential for a new type of instrument: the free-programmable instrument cluster, which
consists of a single 12.3-inch TFT display. In this large display area a great variety of content
can be combined seamlessly - from the conventional round display to the graphical
implementation of spatial depth. It is even possible to adapt the free-programmable
instrument cluster to the needs and wishes of the individual driver. Style, size and color of
the display can be adjusted as easily as the overall amount of information shown.
Curved surfaces with touch functionalities
Besides their general attractiveness, there is one aspect that all modern displays have in
common: they are flat, which makes harmonious integration into the car difficult. "We want to
change this," says Spoelder whilst commenting on Continentals development roadmap, "We
develop manufacturing procedures to realize, for example, touch screens with the usual
functionality but with a curved surface." In combination with new materials – glass, for
example – the designer can form new surfaces for capacitive touch screens or touch-pad
controls in a way that they integrate seamlessly into the lines of the vehicle interior.
The evolution of the head-up display (HUD)
The head-up display is another one of the elements of the human-machine interface that is
increasingly important because of the ever rising amount of information in the car. Today’s
head-up displays reach a virtual display size above the car hood of 6 degrees (wide) by 2
degrees (high). With this size, head-up displays serve primarily as a display unit for vehicle
and traffic related content. "The HUD moves selected data close to the driver's line of sight
making it easily available," says Dr. Thorsten Alexander Kern, product manager for HUD in
the Instrumentation & Driver HMI business unit of Continental. The actual content consists of
digits, simple graphics and text. However, the HUD requirements for future generations are
rising in terms of image size and quality. Therefore Continental has integrated the Digital
Micromirror Device (DMD) technology in the next evolutionary step for head-up displays. This
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technology already exists in modern true color home projectors. Compared to the TFT
technology used today, this technology allows for higher magnification and thus a larger
image size. "On larger display areas a broader range of graphical symbols can be used.
Thus navigation arrows or an intersection’s geometry can be displayed in full color and in
sufficient size. They also provide additional areas for the display of comfort functions", says
Kern. At the same time, with DMD technology, the HUD lays the foundation for future
instruments with augmented reality (AR). Such an AR-HUD will be able to project information
directly onto the road and into the field of view and set it in relation to the real environment.
"In the AR-HUD, navigation arrows can be displayed exactly at the point on the street where
the driver has to act. The driver no longer needs to take away attention from the road" says
Dr. Pablo Richter, Continental expert in HUD technology.
With sales of €32.7 billion in 2012, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide.
As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis,
instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires, and technical elastomers,
Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also
an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately
173,000 employees in 46 countries.
The Automotive Group with its three divisions Chassis & Safety (sales of approximately €7.0 billion
in 2012, 34,500 employees), Powertrain (sales of approximately €6.1 billion in 2012, 31,000
employees) and Interior (sales of approximately €6.4 billion in 2012, 33,000 employees) achieved
sales of approximately €19.5 billion in 2012. The Automotive Group is present in more than 170
locations worldwide. As a partner of the automotive and commercial vehicle industry, it develops and
produces innovative products and systems for a modern automotive future, in which cars provide
individual mobility and driving pleasure consistent with driving safety, environmental responsibility and
cost-efficiency.
The Chassis & Safety Division develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake and chassis
control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, airbag electronics and -sensorics, washer
systems and electronic air suspension systems. Its core competence is the integration of active and
passive driving safety into ContiGuard. The Powertrain Division integrates innovative and efficient
system solutions for vehicle powertrains. The comprehensive range of products includes gasoline and
diesel injection systems, engine management, transmission control, including sensors and actuators,
as well as fuel-supply systems and components and systems for hybrid and electric drives.
Information management is at the very heart of the Interior Division, which provides a range of
products that includes instrument clusters and multifunctional displays, control units, electronic carentry systems, tire-monitoring systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, climate control
systems, telematics solutions and cockpit modules and systems.
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Enno Pflug
External Communications, Interior Division
Continental Automotive GmbH
Sodener Strasse 9
65824 Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany
Ph.: +49 6196 87-2515
enno.pflug@continental-corporation.com
www.continental-automotive.com
Your contact:
Enno Pflug, +49 6196 87-2515
www.continental-corporation.com