The international tyre manufacturer and automotive supplier Continental presented its portfolio of bus tyres, electronics, fleet management and instrumentation solutions, as well as ergonomics at Busworld in Kortrijk, Belgium. Highlights include the fully configurable instrument cluster MultiViu®Professional 12 and the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) ContiPressureCheck™.
There is a growing trend toward networked vehicles that make the driver’s life easier by displaying important information clearly, a trend which is supported by Continental’s Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket business unit with its innovative instrument cluster, MultiViu®Professional 12. The fully configurable instrument cluster has a high-resolution, 12.3-inch color TFT display, real-time capable 2D graphics, and video imaging.
In addition, Continental presented the camera systems ProViu®Mirror and ProViu®ASL360. ProViu®Mirror offers an alternative to exterior mirrors. Two cameras are installed on each side of the vehicle. Their recordings are transmitted to two displays on the right and left of the A-pillar. The technology considerably expands the visible area compared with conventional exterior mirrors, and maximizes driving safety while simultaneously cutting fuel consumption by up to 2%. The camera system ProViu®ASL360 extends these cost and safety savings even further, by directly transferring a real-time image of objects immediately adjacent to the vehicle onto a display. As a result the risk of damage to both the vehicle itself and other objects around it is reduced since the driver’s blind spots are eliminated. This particularly facilitates cornering and turning in tight spaces.
In the field of vehicle electronics, Continental also exhibited a modular driver’s workplace for urban and intercity buses that complies with VDV and EBSF standards. The modular design provides a workplace that is user-friendly and has a very flexible layout. Its components can be adapted to many different use cases. As the height and incline of the system can also be fully adapted, the new design offers bus drivers considerably more ergonomic working conditions.
Visitors found more about the consultancy services on offer from Continental in relation to its electric-electronic system (E/E) architecture for buses. Experts support bus manufacturers throughout the process, from the requirements analysis to validation, ensuring that the electronic components reliably and efficiently interact with each other. The experts also ensure compliance with applicable safety standards. Professionally designed and optimized by electronics specialists, the E/E architecture helps improve the performance, safety, and reliability of the vehicle. Customers also receive thorough documentation for the system.
The digital fleet management software TIS-Web, which aims to increase fleet efficiency, was also on display at Busworld. In addition to legally prescribed archiving, the software comprehensively evaluates vehicle data, thereby optimizing the management of logistics and vehicles, and making everyday tasks easier for drivers.
Continental’s new generation 3 bus tires offer the ideal solution for every season, across a range of applications, from city, to regional, to long-haul buses. Also on the Continental stand, Continental Truck Tires presented the Conti CityPlus HA3 295/80 R 22.5 . Its distinctive longitudinal grooves provide excellent handling and wet grip properties over its entire life, making it the ideal all-round tire for regional passenger services and charter services to tourist destinations.
The Conti Coach HA3 in size 295/80 R 22.5, which is specially designed for greater speed and comfort on long-haul journeys, was also put up. Thanks to the special tread compound and a new tread design, the Conti Coach HA3, suitable for all axles, offers both maximum safety and optimal driving comfort as well as improved rolling resistance.
When driving on wet, cold or icy roads, optimal traction and safety are important for passenger transport. At Busworld, Continental Truck Tires is presenting the winter tire Conti UrbanScandinavia HA3 275/70 R 22.5. The tire truly stands its ground as an all-round tire fitment on the roads in winter, with its design consisting of numerous biting edges and sipes.
The innovative tire pressure monitoring system ContiPressureCheck™ is another way to improve safety on the roads. The system uses sensors inside the tire to measure both the tire pressure as well as the temperature inside the tire in real time. The data is presented to the driver via a display. If the tire pressure deviates from the correct specified value, ContiPressureCheck™ warns the driver immediately. Measures can then be taken to rectify the situation and return the air pressure in the tire to its normal level. In this way ContiPressureCheck™ makes a valuable contribution to the passenger safety.