Continental Tech for Easier Riding

One of the more usual navigation apps is Waze, as in addition to the basic mapping/routing function, it provides information about the route—traffic jams, accidents, etc.—that is captured in real-time from the Wazers who are using the app.

Continental has developed something that’s somewhat analogous, but in this case, the Conti developers based in Singapore focused on the needs of motorcyclists rather than four-wheel drivers.

Info about incidents on the route

It is based on “swarm intelligence,” which is based on individual behaviors that are accumulated and coordinated for the ends of many.

In this case, there is an app with a map; information from riders who have the app on their phones can be uploaded and then used to help advise other riders.

“The stored data is collated in the cloud and made available to all motorcyclists,” says Ralf Lenninger, head of Continental’s Intelligent Transportation Systems. “As a result, the eHorizon system informs bikers in advance of obstacles along their route, such as construction zones, accidents, slippery conditions, or traffic jams. Having this information can enhance safety, not only for motorcyclists, but for other road users.”

Obviously, it is one thing to be sitting in a car and being able to input information regarding conditions. For the Conti system, there is a button on the digital instrument cluster that they’ve developed that allows the rider to record their position. Then upon arrival at their destination, they can provide more detailed information regarding road conditions.

There is a smartphone app that uses a Bluetooth Connection Manager to pair between the instrument cluster and the cloud.