Continental Showcases Its Software and Sensor Solutions at Auto Shanghai 2021

Continental Showcases Its Software and Sensor Solutions at Auto Shanghai 2021

Continental is showcasing its solutions for the sustainable and connected mobility at 19th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, which is being held from April 21 to 28, 2021.

At the expo, the company is presenting a large number of innovative software and affiliated hardware solutions including from high-tech radar sensors, high-performance computers as central control units in the vehicle and data communication through to the cloud as part of telematics systems.

To enhance safety and the requirements of autonomous mobility, Continental offers more powerful generation of surround radar and long-range radar sensors, which are compact and have higher scanning rates and 360-degree vehicle surroundings monitoring with ranges of around 200 meters or around 250 meters depending on the radar sensor add up to much greater safety at short and long ranges.

Continental said the new radar sensor solutions thus enable anticipatory applications for Euro NCAP requirements through to higher automated driving functions such as automated lane changes. The technical features of the sixth generation, which will go into production in 2023, include an improved detection range and a higher resolution for accurate detection of the vehicle’s surroundings.

At this year’s edition, the German technology major is presenting its end-to-end network solutions for connected cars for the first time.

From the sensor, the high-performance computer and the connectivity unit to the cloud, this solution implements a reliable function integration. In particular, the fast and low-latency connection of the vehicle network to the outside world enables real-time processing of all data that enters the vehicle and is processed by high-performance processing units in the vehicle. Software functions are distributed between the cloud, the high-performance computer and what are called zone controllers. This allows Continental to offer maximum flexibility and functional safety at the same time. Functions from advanced driver assistance systems can also be integrated into the system to a limited extent. Continental’s self-developed 5G mobile radio module (network access device) offers scalable computing power with improved cyber security. It also supports various hardware options to assist with the requirements of different customers and regions. The system allows flexible options for system integration for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers – from stand-alone network access devices to complete integration in telematics control units or intelligent antenna modules. Continental is already working with several global automotive manufacturers for 5G telematics on the basis of its successful 5G hybrid V2X platform.

The development of the Continental Automotive Edge Platform (CAEdge), a modular hardware and software platform, will make it convenient for drivers to obtain the new functions they want in the future through software updates throughout the entire service life of the vehicle. CAEdge connects the vehicle to the cloud and, thanks to a virtual workbench, offers numerous opportunities for the development, provision and maintenance of software-intensive system functions.

With this platform, Continental is strengthening its leading role in the development of the latest vehicle architectures and software. In the future, it will provide vehicle manufacturers and partners with a development environment for software-intensive vehicle architectures that can be used to implement software, sensor technology and big data solutions in a fraction of the previous development time. This means that the vehicle software can quickly and safely be developed, tested and installed directly in vehicles. In the future, all developers and the companies involved will work with the Continental platform in a standardized and automated development environment using the same tools, testing and safeguarding procedures. (MT)

 

DEP Launches AI-Powered Engineering Platform In India

DEP

Detroit Engineered Products (DEP) has introduced DEP AIWorks, an engineering platform designed to integrate machine learning with physics-based simulation. The launch follows the conclusion of a five-city industry conclave held across Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai.

DEP AIWorks is built as a physics-agnostic and tool-agnostic environment, allowing it to function across various datasets and engineering domains. The platform combines neural networks and physics-informed models with computer-aided engineering (CAE) solvers to provide predictive and generative capabilities within the product development lifecycle.

Core features of the platform include modular architecture, operational speed and ecosystem compatibility.

The platform is intended for use in the automotive, aerospace, energy, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors. It supports various stages of development, from early design exploration to manufacturing validation. By utilising data-driven learning alongside physics-based validation, the system aims to improve engineering productivity and accelerate decision-making cycles.

Radha Krishnan, President & Founder, DEP, said, “DEP AIWorks reflects the next step in how engineering organisations will adopt AI, not as a standalone tool, but as an integrated part of the product development lifecycle. By combining decades of simulation expertise with advances in AI, we are enabling teams to move faster while maintaining engineering rigor and reliability.”

ZF Launches SolarBoost Retrofit Solution For Buses

ZF SolarBoost

German tier 1 supplier ZF has introduced SolarBoost, a retrofittable solar panel system designed to support the 24-volt on-board electrical systems of city buses and coaches. The technology generates electricity during vehicle operation to recharge batteries, intended to reduce fuel consumption and maintenance requirements for fleet operators.

The system reduces the load on the drive engine by providing an alternative power source for on-board systems, which are traditionally supplied by the alternator. According to ZF, the additional energy can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3.5 percent, depending on weather conditions and application profiles.

The company states that key benefits for operators include battery longevity, as continuous recharging extends battery life. ZF reports potential savings equivalent to one battery per vehicle per year.

Furthermore, it enhances uptime by reduced requirement for stationary battery recharges and lower maintenance frequency. The system includes Bluetooth connectivity, allowing operators to track energy generation in real-time via a mobile application.

SolarBoost utilises a plug-and-play architecture designed for installation in an operator's own workshop using standard tools. The process does not require drilling into the vehicle structure or extensive rewiring, allowing for fleet-wide scaling with minimal disruption to service.

The hardware is engineered to withstand vibrations and weather conditions associated with heavy-duty transit. ZF provides a 5-year warranty and repair kits to support the long-term durability of the flexible panels.

The product is positioned as a scalable solution for bus operators to meet environmental targets. By utilizing renewable energy for electrical loads, the system assists in reducing the carbon footprint of intercity and urban transport fleets. It aligns with ZF’s broader strategy to deliver innovations that improve vehicle efficiency while supporting climate-friendly mobility.

Recyclekaro Secures Government Eligibility For Critical Mineral Recycling Expansion

Recyclekaro

Recyclekaro, an e-waste and lithium-ion battery recycling firm, has been cleared for eligibility under the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Mines under the National Critical Minerals Mission.

The company has committed an investment of approximately INR 3 billion to expand its operations. This brownfield expansion aims to increase total processing capacity to 50,000 metric tonnes.

Its targeted waste streams for mineral recovery include spent lithium-ion batteries, electronic circuit e-waste, rare earth magnets and spent catalytic converters.

The project is designed to increase the domestic recovery of lithium and rare earth elements, reducing reliance on mineral imports for the electric mobility and renewable energy sectors.

Recyclekaro plans to invest over INR 5 billion over the next five years into a research and development facility. This centre will focus on technologies for the recovery of rare earth and critical minerals. The objective of the expansion is to align with national resource security and circular economy targets.

Rajesh Gupta, Founder and Managing Director, Recyclekaro, said, “We are proud to have secured eligibility under the Government of India’s Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme and sincerely commend the Ministry of Mines for instituting a visionary and robust framework under the National Critical Minerals Mission. This marks a decisive step toward strengthening India’s energy security that relies on securing critical minerals domestically. This will support India’s net zero goals. Over the past 15 years, we have built world-class in-house technologies, conducted thousands of pilot-scale experiments, and are now investing over INR 5 billion next 5 years in our newly developed R&D facility. It is going to be amongst the biggest privately owned facilities in India dedicated to rare earth and critical mineral recovery. At Recyclekaro, we remain deeply committed to this national movement and invite researchers, innovators, and technology partners to collaborate in accelerating India’s clean energy and circular economy transition.”

RoshAi Raises INR 220 Million Funding Led By IAN Alpha Fund

RoshAi

Kochi-headquartered deep-tech company RoshAi has raised INR 220 million in funding, which was led by IAN Alpha Fund, part of the IAN Group.

The capital is designated for product development, expansion of deployments and scaling operations across international industrial markets.

RoshAi develops autonomy solutions that can be retrofitted to existing heavy vehicles in sectors such as ports, mining and logistics. This approach allows operators to implement driverless operations without the requirement for new fleet investments.

The technology stack comprises three primary components:

Retrofit Hardware: Physical kits to enable autonomous control of conventional vehicles.

In-Vehicle Autonomy System: AI-powered software and sensors for navigation and obstacle detection.

Cloud-Based Fleet Management: A platform for remote monitoring and operational coordination.

The company reports that its systems have completed over 100,000 km of testing with no safety incidents.

The global industrial autonomous vehicle market is projected to reach USD 162.8 billion by 2030, up from USD 47.6 billion in 2024. RoshAi aims to capture this growth by targeting the United States, Australia and Southeast Asia. It currently collaborates with Tier 1 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and industrial operators on pilot projects.

Sarika Saxena, Managing Partner, IAN Alpha Fund, said, “RoshAi is solving industrial autonomy through a retrofit-first approach, enabling operators to upgrade existing fleets rather than invest in new infrastructure. With strong early validation, repeat customer engagement, and a scalable autonomy platform, the company is well-positioned to build a globally relevant deep-tech business from India.”

Roshy John, Founder & CEO, RoshAi, added, “Our focus is to make industrial operations safer and more efficient by enabling existing fleets to operate autonomously. This investment allows us to accelerate product development, scale deployments across global markets, and continue building a robust autonomy platform for industrial use cases. We are glad to have IAN’s support as we move into this next phase.”