Continental Debuts New Display and Control Concept for Center Stacks

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than 100 years of experience in instrumentation and information management, Continental Automotive today revealed a new display and control concept for center stacks. The announcement came during the Ward's Auto Interiors Conference -- "A Fresh Look at the HMI and Center Stack" panel. The concept was designed to allow automakers the ability to enhance interior design styling without an increase in driver distraction.

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"This highly advanced module will radically change the way vehicle occupants access and visualize information about their vehicles," said Bob Drury, director of engineering for Continental's Instrumentation and Driver HMI Business Unit in North America. "Stylish digital displays and simplified, more intuitive dashboards are all qualities drivers increasingly demand."

Driver Personalization and Customization Options

The new module using black panel technology is functional and stylish, making the display and control elements visible only when illumination is activated. The center stack's surface consists of a tinted, three-dimensional front cover over an 8-inch color display, which includes illumination and capacitive foils to recognize the user's input. Energy efficient LEDs provide the backlighting for the center stack display. The combination of RGB and white LEDs allow practically any color to be generated, allowing a consistent brand-specific cockpit color strategy.

Advanced Driver Control

The Continental centerstack concept allows the driver to make all inputs with the touch of a fingertip including an entry menu easily accessed by five menu switches to the left of the display. Several modes of operation ensure that the visual information is ergonomically optimized. For instance, if the driver activates the temperature control as part of the HVAC, capacitive side controls light-up to the side and beneath the display. To support an ergonomic way of operation, the keys and slide control are equipped with a haptic finger gliding function which allows for seamless integration with the center stack's overall design.

About Continental

With sales of 26 billion Euros in 2010, 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 155,000 employees in 45 countries.

The Automotive Group

The Automotive Group with its three divisions Chassis & Safety (sales of approximately 5.8 billion Euros in 2010, 30,000 employees), Powertrain (sales of approximately 4.7 billion Euros in 2010, 27,000 employees) and Interior (sales of approximately 5.5 billion Euros in 2010, 30,000 employees) achieved sales of approximately 16 billion Euros in 2010. 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.

To learn more about Continental AG and its Automotive Group, visit the websites at:

www.continental-corporation.com and www.continental-automotive.com

SOURCE Continental