Continental's Latest Multifunctional Camera System For BMW is Using
Algorithm and EyeQ1 System-on-Chip Technology From Mobileye
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany and JERUSALEM, Israel, August 13
/PRNewswire/ -- The new BMW 7 Series offers a new advanced driver
assistance system developed by BMW and Continental. Now, for the first time
three driver assistance functions are controlled by a single camera powered
by a system-on-chip EyeQ1 processing unit. The combined technologies -
Speed Limit Information (SLI), High Beam Assist (HBA) and Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) were engineered with BMW through a partnership between the
international automotive supplier Continental and Mobileye N.V., world
leaders in the development of vision-based driver assistance systems.
The two companies have collaborated over the past few years in the
development of the combined system on a world-wide range of weather
conditions, road types and lane markings. The system consists of a highly
dynamic range digital CMOS camera developed and produced by Continental and
a high performance chip EyeQ1 provided by Mobileye. The EyeQ1 is a
system-on-chip designed to cater the type of computation one faces in such
intensive visual interpretation tasks. After years of intensive engineering
and continues testing the system design of Continental has been released
successfully and is now being ready to market.
The SLI functionality provides an innovative solution which is the
first of its kind on the market for this type of demand. The application
informs the driver with the accurate speed-limit for all type of
speed-limit signs (fixed, variable and also supplemental signs) and informs
the driver of any impending speed restriction. The current speed limit is
then displayed in the instrument cluster and the optional Head-Up Display.
This is the first time a production car has been offered with a speed
warning system that can read road signs. Furthermore, the camera scans the
field of view for oncoming headlamps and taillights and the system
automatically switches between low and high beams. It makes certain that
high beams do not blind other road users. At the same time, the system
enables the driver to concentrate more on the task of driving.
The HBA functionality makes a significant contribution to ensuring the
high-beams are used more frequently. Studies have shown that in many cases
the high beam are very rarely used and thus not provid-ing the driver with
optimum lighting.
The LDW capabilities are based on the proven technology already
launched in March 2007 in the BMW 5 Series with additional sensing
functionalities such as "road edge detection".
"Always one step ahead - BMW together with Continental and Mobileye is
first to leap ahead and go to market with a multi-functional Camera in the
area of driver assistance," stated Amrei Drechsler, Vice President Advanced
Driver Assistance Systems, Continental Chassis & Safety division.
"What is special about the BMW solution is that it runs the three
functions SLI, HBA and LDW, all using the same camera and microprocessor
resources," says Itay Gat, Ph.D., series production vice president of
Mobileye N.V. "The technical challenge is very high compared to a
standalone system, because the requirements from the camera control are
conflicting: the combined system must run at a higher frame rate than a
standalone system and must share images among the different customer
functions. The combined system has the advantage of reducing the overall
system cost and saving windshield space. Rather than populating the
windshield area with multiple sensing systems, the integrative approach
allows a single sensor system to perform all the functions and hence reduce
space and cost."
The combined functionalities will help motorists stay safe in diverse
driving situations. LDW proven capa-bilities will assist in reducing
vehicle departure from the road, while the intelligent High Beam Assist
will make sure that visibility of the road will be optimal under all
conditions. Together with providing the new speed limit indication will
further assist the driver.
With targeted annual sales of more than EUR26.4 billion for 2008, the
Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide.
As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain
and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics,
tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards
enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental
is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today,
the corpo-ration employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200
locations in 36 countries.
As a worldwide leading technology and systems partner to the automotive
industry, the Chassis & Safety Division of Continental AG integrates
extensive know-how and leading-edge quality in the fields of active and
passive driving safety, safety and chassis sensorics, and chassis
components. The Division achieves sales of more than EUR 5 billion (based
on 2006 figures) with a workforce of more than 27,500 (2007). Chassis &
Safety develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake and chassis
control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, air bag control
systems, occupant classification systems, washer systems as well as
electronic air suspension systems.
Mobileye N.V. is headquartered in The Netherlands, with R&D in Israel
and satellite offices in the U.S., Cyprus and Japan. Mobileye is a
technological leader in the area of advanced image sensing and processing
technology for automotive applications, with a product offering covering
the entire range of vision applications Mobileye s unique monocular vision
platform works as a third eye to help drivers improve safety and avoid
accidents, and has the potential to revolutionize the way we drive.
Mobileye's products of software algorithms bundled into the EyeQ
system-on-chip can be found in BMW, GM and Volvo models since 2007.
Further information on Mobileye can be found at http://www.mobileye.com.
News Media Contacts: Nicole Geissler
Continental
Tel. +49-69-7603-8492
Fax: +49-69-7603-3945
nicole.geissler@continental-corporation.com
Scott Merritt
For Mobileye
+1-770-778-4786 (Mobile)
smerritt@brandwaregroup.com
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SOURCE Mobileye Vision Technologies
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CONTACT:
News Media Contacts: Nicole Geissler,
Continental, Tel. +49-69-7603-8492, Fax: +49-69-7603-3945,
nicole.geissler@continental-corporation.com; Scott Merritt, For
Mobileye, +1-770-778-4786 (Mobile), smerritt@brandwaregroup.com
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