Continental's New Rear Cross Traffic Alert Wins Toyota's Technology & Development Award

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany and NAGOYA, Japan, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

Like 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 euro 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.

SOURCE Continental