Continental localises technologies for emission control, safety
Continental believes that clean, intelligent, and connected vehicles are the future of mobility the world over. “Recognising the potential of the Indian automotive market and India’s emergence as a hub for high quality engineering talent, Continental Automotive has made substantial investment in the country, both for manufacturing and R&D. We service almost all automotive OEMs here,” Prashanth Doreswamy, Managing Director and India Market Leader, Continental Automotive, told Auto ComponentsIndia.
“There are several areas of business interest for us. In India, safety is a key focus area now. The Government has already made it compulsory to install ABS for motorcycles of 125 cc and above. Similarly, emission, which is a major concern in India. The country is skipping BS V (Euro V) and advancing to BS VI (Euro VI) norms from April 2020. Globally, Continental has been supporting OEMs in meeting the stringent Euro VI emission standards. In India, Continental is ready with the required technologies in meeting the BS VI norms,” he said.
Automotive electronics is one of the emerging areas in the Indian
industry. Major areas will include safety, communication and powertrain. As electronic content in the vehicle increases, OEMs realise that these features can potentially be a game changer for the automotive sector.
Evolving automotive market
“We are fully committed to the Indian market. Relevant technologies are readily available, and as a global player we bring decades of experience in the areas of safety and emission control. It is only a matter of adoption, and government legislations have certainly given this momentum. In some cases, these products are localised too. In a price sensitive market as India, government legislations play a key role,” Doreswamy said.
The increasing awareness and acceptance of safety technologies in vehicles, India is emerging as a focus market for airbags, Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). With suppliers like Continental betting on localisation, technologies are adapted to local requirements, and they are becoming increasingly affordable.
Prepared for BS VI
With the implementation of BS VI standards, the Government would be keen to monitor actual emissions on the road through real drive cycle emission tests. Having long been an exporter of vehicles to countries where Euro VI standards are enforced by law, many automotive manufacturers in India are already well prepared to meet the more stringent emission standards. The new standards require that after-treatment systems be enhanced by adding DPF (diesel particulate filter), SCR R (selective catalytic reduction), ), LNT (lean NOx trap) for diesel l and TWC (efficient three-way catalyst) and if required GPF (gasoline particulate filter) for gasoline. To ensure a smooth migration and avoid multiple development loops and calibration, a platform approach. “Continental’s Euro o VI-compliant diesel systems, SCR systems, and gasoline systems s can offer a suitable alternative ve for vehicle manufacturers,” he said.
As CO2 norms continue to get tighter, hybrid and electric vehicles will demonstrate significant environmental advantages over conventional gasoline or diesel-powered cars. Incentive schemes like FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles) will drive the uptake of 48 Volt mild hybrid systems, full and plug-in hybrids as well as full electric vehicles.
“For emissions our attention is focused on 2 parallel efforts. The first is the full value creation from the growing demand for the most efficient combustion engine technologies that also guarantee the lowest emissions, and, the second is to benefit from the prospective growth in environmentally friendly, electrified and fully electric drive systems. We are also implementing a sustainable growth strategy featuring a high level of investment in R&D and in capacities for future technologies and systems for electric vehicles,” Doreswamy said.
TwoTwo-wheeler safety
Continental has a complete range of Electronic Brake Systems (EBS), including a one-channel ABS for smaller motorcycles and scooters. Based on its proven ABS technology for passenger cars, it was developed especially for cost-sensitive Asian markets. The system is also effective in combination with a mechanical drum brake on the rear wheel.
The one-channel ABS from Continental is a complete solution that is both modular and scalable. It can be customised for various control strategies in different vehicles including racer bikes, cruisers, sport bikes, scooters or mopeds. This is an addition
to Continental’s portfolio of motorcycle systems currently in series production: Motorcycle Integral Brake Systems (MIB) and Motorcycle Anti-Lock Brake Systems (MAB - 2 Channel ABS). The two-channel ABS MK 100 MAB or three-channel MK 3-2 MAB has been available as a mid-range feature, while the MK 100 MIB has been available as the ultimate feature.
“For that we first set up a line for localisation of ABS assembly, besides ESC systems in Gurgaon in November 2016, and in January 2018 announced a new line in our Bangalore Central Electronics Plant for the production and assembly of Electronic Control Units (ECU) for two-wheeler and passenger car Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). With this we are ensuring that our technologically advanced, highquality products are localised for the market,” he said.
‘Vision Zero’
Safety is a concerted effort of all stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturers, component providers, the government, and civil society. Safety is everyone’s right and it is also a collective responsibility. Continental offers products that integrate the full range of active and passive systems resulting in comprehensive vehicle safety and dynamics for commercial vehicles.
About Continental’s ‘Vision Zero’, which spans across all segments, Doreswamy said, “We are pursuing a global strategy, and this is our commitment towards ensuring zero fatalities, zero injuries and zero accidents globally. However, we also understand that this is not an effort in isolation as legislation also plays a key role in defining safety standards. As a technology company, we develop and produce innovative technologies and intelligent systems for an automobile future in which life is protected and injuries are prevented. We will continue our efforts in this direction.”
Continental actively works on the vision of zero accidents and offers smart system solutions for many different aspects of safety, from sensors to smart-humanmachine-interfaces and futureoriented automated driving functions. “But ultimately, the market has to be ready for it. Several factors influence this, right from price sensitivity to legislation to infrastructure to awareness. The biggest opportunity is to build public awareness, on how technology can democratise road safety,” he said.
ADAS in India
Continental which is present in all automotive hubs in India with 15 offices including 8 plants, is building a team for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), the technology of the future. The team supports global markets. ADAS will find its place in India in the years to come. Better infrastructure, awareness and government policy will be the deciding factors for this.
“ADAS systems are the backbone for automated driving. We have a large team at Continental TCI, our in-house R&D Centre, working on these technologies. We are also closely engaged with the eco-system. Recently, we signed an MoU with IIT Madras on advanced research in Machine Learning and Neural Networks for technologies that aid ADAS.
About India’s difficult infrastructure, different driving patterns, and low safety awareness, Doreswamy said, “Each market is unique in its own way. As a global company with business in almost every part of the world, we understand this and adapt ourselves to each market. A “one size fits all” does not work. Which is why we strongly adhere to our strategy of In the Market, For the Market, localising the entire value chain. Often technologies are adapted to our customer requirements, unique to the market.”