Conti technology in the BMW iX: Bavaria's glory and Prussia's contribution

Open to Third-Party Providers

The central high-performance computer also opens the system 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. This approach is particularly evident in the display system in the windshield and with the supplier's driver camera in the curved display. The head-up display projects information such as speed, warning messages, and navigation arrows directly into the driver's field of vision. The driver camera of the BMW iX, seamlessly integrated into the digital instrument cluster, analyzes camera images of the driver's head position, direction, eye openness, and gaze direction, ensuring that the driver is warned if distracted from the traffic or lacking attention due to fatigue.

Control Units for Brake, Chassis, Airbag

Other electronic safety components for active and passive safety from Continental, such as control units for brakes, chassis, and airbags, as well as sensors, also contribute to driving safety. Conti also supplies the transceiver modules for the electric vehicle BMW iX. 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 access and engine start without the driver having to take the smartphone into their hands.

Basis for Car Sharing with Family and Friends

Thanks to Ultra-Wideband technology (UWB), the solution offers maximum comfort combined with significantly improved security against relay attacks (man-in-the-middle), the manufacturer advertises. For example, vehicle thieves are no longer able to intercept and extend the key signal to gain access. The vehicle owner can also generate up to five digital keys simultaneously via the My BMW App from the vehicle manufacturer and conveniently share them with family and friends.

Common Standard for Car Connectivity

The global standard for passive vehicle access is being developed in the cross-industry Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC). Here, companies from the automotive industry, smartphone manufacturers, and technology companies cooperate to drive the networking between smartphones and vehicles. The CCC's goal is also to identify further applications for vehicle localization based on UWB technology. Continental, together with other renowned companies such as BMW and Apple, is dedicated to the basic development of the UWB radio standard for vehicle access within the CCC.

Wireless Charging and Near Field Communication

Additionally, it is possible in the BMW iX to place the mobile device on Continental's smartphone terminal with an integrated Near Field Communication (NFC) interface and charge it inductively, as Conti further explains. This automatically establishes a connection between the telephone and infotainment system. The vehicle can also be opened via NFC if the smartphone's battery is once empty.

No Dimming Hazard: Intelligent Panoramic Roof

With the control for the so-called Sky Lounge, Conti engineers wanted to make the panoramic roof "intelligent." The large glass surface can be electrically dimmed depending on the light conditions. Various surface materials, such as covers for the instrument panel, door trim, and seat surfaces from Continental, also contribute to a pleasant interior climate. The decorative material Acella Lux used combines high comfort with low-emission material properties. In terms of tires, they also offer various summer and winter tires for the BMW iX, which are distinguished by short braking distances and good handling characteristics on dry and wet roads, as noted in conclusion.