Press Release
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Continental's New Rear Cross Traffic Alert Wins
Toyota's Technology & Development Award
Recognition for the further development of the system for monitoring the blind
spot: when reversing out of a parking space, a new generation of sensors warns
the driver of a potential collision with vehicles passing behind.
Frankfurt am Main, Germany / Nagoya, Japan, February 25, 2013. The Toyota Motor
Corporation presented Continental, the international automotive supplier, with its Technology
& Development Award in recognition of Continental's development of a new generation of
radar based sensors for a ‘Rear Cross Traffic Alert’ (RCTA) system on February 21, 2013.
"We have a long-standing partnership with Toyota as one of its suppliers. The award for our
innovative, high-quality vehicle components and the confidence that has been placed in us
makes us proud and is a further incentive", said Dr. Elmar Degenhart, Chief Executive Officer
of Continental AG, who accepted the award at a ceremony held during the Toyota Global
Suppliers Convention in Nagoya, Japan. "Our aim is to exceed our customers' expectations
every day, which is why we are delighted that our efforts have been rewarded in this way. In
close collaboration with vehicle manufacturers, we develop system solutions which are
perfectly tailored to the respective requirements of each market", he added. This is the first
time that Continental has received an award directly from the Toyota Motor Corporation and
is the only non-Japanese supplier to receive an award in this category this year.
This annual Technology & Development Award recognizes suppliers whose innovations
allow Toyota vehicles to be equipped with the very latest technologies. Continental received
the award for the development of the RCTA, which builds on its existing technology for
detecting vehicles in the blind spot. When reversing out of a parking space, this new
generation of sensors detects vehicles passing behind and warns the driver of a potential
collision. The particular contribution made by this electronic Rear Cross Traffic Alert is that it
helps to prevent accidents when reversing out of a parking space. The new generation of
Lexus ES models, introduced in 2012, was the first to be fitted with this Rear Cross Traffic
Alert. Continental now supplies these sensors for more than ten Toyota models.
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Your contact:
Soeren Pinkow, Phone: +49 69 7603 8492
-2Like existing systems for blind spot monitoring, the RCTA is based on two short-range radar
sensors, located out of sight in the right-hand and left-hand corners of the vehicle behind the
plastic bumper. From this position, they monitor the areas to the sides of the vehicle and are
able to detect any vehicles passing behind. At present, the RCTA is designed to detect cars,
motorcycles and bicycles that are within at least 35 meters and traveling at a speed of
somewhere between 5 km/h and 30 km/h. If the advanced driver assistance system detects
an imminent collision, a warning will sound and LEDs will light up in the interior rear view
mirror to alert the driver. The warning strategy employed can, of course, be modified in
accordance with the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements. Additionally, it will be possible,
with the next generation, to automatically apply the vehicle's brakes in case of a potential
collision.
With preliminary 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 170,000
employees in 46 countries.
The Automotive Group with its three divisions Chassis & Safety (sales of approximately €6.5 billion
in 2011, 33,000 employees), Powertrain (sales of approximately €5.8 billion in 2011, 31,000
employees) and Interior (sales of approximately €6.1 billion in 2011, 32,000 employees) achieved
sales of approximately €18.5 billion in 2011. 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 car-entry systems,
tire-monitoring systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, climate control systems,
telematics solutions and cockpit modules and systems.
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Your contact:
Soeren Pinkow, Phone: +49 69 7603 8492
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Contact for journalists:
Sören Pinkow
External Communications
Continental
Division Chassis & Safety
Guerickestraße 7
60488 Frankfurt am Main
Tel.: +49 69 7603-8492
Fax: +49 69 7603-3945
soeren.pinkow@continental-corporation.com
Rie Honda
Head of Communications
Continental Automotive Corporation
15th floor, Technowave100 Bldg.
1-1-25 Shin-Urashimacho, Kanagawa-ku
Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0031
Tel.: +81 45 444-3692
Fax: +81 45 444-4618
Rie.Honda@continental-corporation.com
www.continental-automotive.com
www.continental-corporation.com
www.continental-corporation.comwww.continental-c
Your contact:
Soeren Pinkow, Phone: +49 69 7603 8492