With its supply of airbag control units, ESC systems for passenger vehicles, and ABS for two- and four-wheelers, among other components that significantly improve vehicle safety in India, Continental, a German Tier-1 major, is focusing on the Indian two-wheeler market to introduce its ARAS (Advanced Rider Assistance Systems) solutions.
The company wants to launch its advanced rider support systems based on radar, first for motorbikes and scooters that come with anti-lock braking systems (ABS) already installed in India. The ARAS solution has been offered globally for the past three years, according to Dr. Anshu Gupta, director at Continental, Germany. The company is currently aiming to enter the Indian market, but they haven’t decided which particular two-wheeler category to target.
Dr. Gupta emphasized how ARAS technology is still developing and mentioned that the business is currently assessing which car architectures—including ICE and EV models—would work best with these cutting-edge safety features. Positive talks are currently taking on with two of the biggest two-wheeler OEMs in India, he disclosed.
While Continental has not yet disclosed precise dates for the technology’s standard operating procedures in India, Dr. Gupta was upbeat that the talks would be finished in a year and that a speedy launch would happen when the first customer was acquired. The emphasis is on two-wheelers with displacements of 125cc and above, which in India need ABS to increase safety.
Along with additional safety features like rear-end collision warning, Continental has created an affordable 4D imaging radar sensor that supports rider-help features like adaptive cruise control, lane-change assist, and blind-spot recognition. The company is dedicated to releasing its products in India with strength and stability, and it is open to collaborations for the sustainable spread of its ARAS solutions.
Furthermore, Continental intends to localize these cutting-edge safety technologies in India, realizing that volume would play a critical role in determining its approach. A less expensive option to cameras and lidar sensors, the 4D radar sensor is also intended to allow Level-2+ and Level-3 autonomous driving capabilities as well as ADAS features in contemporary automobiles.
Dr. Gupta highlighted how these technologies are becoming more and more in demand in developing countries, especially in Asia and India, where cars with smart radar sensors might provide basic Level-2+ capabilities. In addition, he talked about how satellite and imaging radars are crucial for delivering consistent Level-2+ and Level-3 functionality in cars with distributed zonal systems.
In conclusion, Dr. Gupta highlighted Continental’s readiness with the proper technology, personnel, and footprint to excel in the emerging market trends and expressed confidence in the company’s stance to profit on the shift towards semi-autonomous and highly autonomous driving. He reiterated Continental’s dedication to improving road safety in India for both passenger cars and two-wheelers, which make up the majority of motorized traffic on Indian roads.
