Continental technology in the BMW iX electric vehicle creates an innovative user experience

The technology company Continental supplies essential elements for an intuitive and attractive user experience in the new BMW iX. The electric vehicle integrates Continental's high-performance cockpit computer as an answer to digitization in the vehicle. He manages the increasing software complexity and the rapidly growing range of functions in the cockpit. The computer also provides the necessary computing power for the functions in the supplier's head-up display and for the large display landscape in the vehicle. Together with the driver's camera integrated in the digital instrument cluster, Continental offers essential components for seamless interaction between driver and vehicle and a new type of user experience. In addition, Continental is equipping the electric model with ultra-wideband transceivers for digital vehicle access via smartphone. Other solutions from the supplier, such as the integrated smartphone terminal with near-field communication for inductive charging, the electronics for the intelligent panorama roof called BMW Sky Lounge, and soft, low-emission surface materials ensure comfort, ergonomics, and user-friendliness as well as an exciting design.

in the electric vehicle BMW iX

“The user experience is becoming an increasingly important decision-making criterion for vehicle buyers. With our building blocks for an intuitive, safe, but above all attractive interaction between driver and vehicle in the BMW iX, as well as our expertise in software development and system integration, we are also helping to promote sustainable mobility,” says Nikolai Setzer, CEO of Continental.

High-performance computer forms the basis for the infotainment world of future cars

The electronics architecture in the BMW iX bridges the gap from today's distributed to the integrated and centralized vehicle architecture of the future. Instead of resorting to several electronic control units, the new electric vehicle from BMW concentrates the computing power of various functions in a few central computers. The powerful cockpit domain controller from Continental is responsible for various software functions and centrally manages all input and output devices in the vehicle interior on a single electronic control unit. It offers new possibilities for a unique and consistent user experience throughout the vehicle. Infotainment and instrumentation functions also merge here, so that they can now be freely configured. This enables maximum personalization for driver 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. In combination with over-the-air software updates, this creates currency and expandability for the cockpit.

The cockpit and the human-machine interface are therefore increasingly changing from a driver's workplace to a multimodal companion that adapts to the needs of the driver. This approach is also particularly evident in the display system in the windshield and with the supplier's driver's camera in the curved display. The head-up display projects all relevant information, such as speed, important warning messages and arrows for navigation, into the driver's direct field of vision. This keeps your eyes on the road and close to the traffic situation. The driver's camera of the BMW iX, which is seamlessly integrated into the digital instrument cluster, analyzes camera images of the driver's head position, direction, eye opening and viewing direction and thus ensures that the driver is warned if he is distracted from the traffic situation or if he is not paying enough attention due to fatigue. The two solutions also promote an intuitive user experience and road safety. Other electronic safety components of active and passive safety from Continental, 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.

More solutions for a digital ecosystem and a unique sense of space

Continental is supplying the transceiver modules for the BMW iX electric vehicle, thereby contributing to the digitization of the traditional car key. As a key component 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 entry and engine start without the driver having to pick up their smartphone. Thanks to ultra-wideband technology (Ultra-Wideband, UWB), the solution offers maximum convenience combined with significantly improved security against relay attacks (man-in-the-middle). For example, vehicle thieves are no longer able to intercept and extend the key signal to gain entry. The vehicle owner can also use the vehicle manufacturer's My BMW app to generate up to five digital keys at the same time 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 promote connectivity between smartphones and vehicles. The aim of the CCC is also to identify further applications for vehicle localization based on UWB technology. In the CCC, Continental is dedicating itself to the basic development of the UWB radio standard for vehicle access together with other well-known companies such as BMW and Apple. In addition, in the BMW iX it is possible to place the mobile end device on the smartphone terminal from Continental with an integrated near field communication interface (Near Field Communication, NFC) and charge it inductively. This automatically establishes a connection between the telephone and infotainment system. The vehicle can also be opened via NFC if the smartphone battery is empty.

With the control for the so-called Sky Lounge, Continental is also making the panoramic roof intelligent. The large glass surface can be darkened electrically depending on the lighting conditions. The headliner thus offers a unique sense of space, just like in nature. Various surface materials from Continental, such as covers for the instrument panel, door rails and seats, also contribute to the pleasant indoor climate. The decorative material used, Acella Lux, stands for high comfort and low-emission material properties. Continental also offers various summer and winter tire models for the BMW iX in tire shops, which are characterized by short braking distances and excellent handling properties on dry and wet roads. Photo credit: BMW & Continental

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