Thanks to the cloud, the dynamic eHorizon turns the digital map into a high-precision and constantly up-to-date information carrier that can be used for so much more than just navigation. With this, we are increasing safety, efficiency, and comfort in trucks and passenger cars.

—Helmut Matschi, member of the Continental Executive Board and head of the Interior division

Driver assistance systems or actuator behavior such as braking and steering can be prepared for upcoming traffic situations, long before the vehicle sensors detect the situation. For example, if the dynamic eHorizon alerts the driver to the tail of a traffic jam after a bend, an automated vehicle could gently reduce its speed, rather than initiating full braking once the sensors have detected the obstacle.

With the dynamic eHorizon, we are creating the basis for numerous new applications—from connected powertrain to automated driving. It’s the dynamic eHorizon that makes highly automated driving really comfortable, as the eHorizon complements the vehicle sensors as an additional source of information.

—Ralf Lenninger, head of Interior Electronics Solutions at Continental

Another interesting application can be found in the optimization of the engine management system in hybrid vehicles as well as range maximization of electric vehicles. Both HERE’s 3D route profile and dynamic information about the traffic situation or weather along the way, which may influence the range of electric vehicles, are assisting here. In addition, hybrid vehicles can drive even longer without assistance from the internal combustion engine, if the vehicle has dynamic traffic information. At the CES Continental will showcase this eHorizon use case with the 48 Volt Eco Drive System with predictive energy management. (Earlier post.)

To allow for real-time updates, the dynamic eHorizon uses the data provided by sensors on other vehicles and additional sources using the Internet. The eHorizon map data is kept available in HERE’s location cloud, which analyzes real time data from sensors and other dynamic events and systematically transmits the information to the vehicle so it can adjust its route.

Continental is not only supplying the hardware and intelligence in the vehicle; it is also developing algorithms, which, on the server side, ensure that information from various sources such as vehicle sensors or commercial traffic data suppliers can be combined to create one overall picture on the digital map. To process and analyze the necessary data quantities, Continental uses IBM’s scalable IT platform as well as the high-precision maps and dynamic information from HERE, said Lenninger.

With Scania Cruise Control with Active Prediction alone, which has become a standard feature of Scania trucks, the eHorizon can reduce consumption by 3% on average. Since 2012 this has led to a saving of more than 63 million liters of diesel, 168,000 metrics tons of CO₂, and €86 million in fuel costs.

In 2013 IBM and Continental announced a collaboration agreement that will see the companies jointly develop fully-connected mobile vehicle solutions for car manufacturers around the world. Central to the agreement was the development of a highly scalable cloud platform that will enable automotive manufacturers to deliver a range of new mobile in-car services. eHorizon follows in the footsteps of this collaboration with the long-term view of the realization of the fully connected vehicle.