For motorcyclists, direct connections between the bike and the online world – and the resulting possibilities – are not yet available. However, thanks to Continental’s initiative, the topic of online connection on two wheels is now on the move. The technology company has designed a complex combination of different hardware components. This design ensures the connection to a cloud backend so that a motorcycle can also accommodate the telematics module. Adapting this innovation for individual bike classes will require much less effort, thanks to Continental’s typical platform approach.
From Continental’s point of view, the closing of this technology gap should also lead to a significant increase in digital services for motorcycles. The combination of fully networked and extremely compact hardware, high-performance software, and a powerful cloud backend, provided by Continental or the bike manufacturer, now offers a gilt-edged chance to meet these expectations. Direct, smartphone-independent rider-to-rider communication and over-the-air updates will become an integral part of the Connected Infotainment Box. Optional features such as stolen vehicle tracking will also be available. Thanks to stolen vehicle tracking, the motorcycle sends a message when it is moved away from its location without the engine starting up. Continental can license these optional features to manufacturers. For example, the platform could also host the eCall function (Emergency Call) for more safety on the motorcycle.
This complex setup can offer several advantages. Active connection to a smartphone would be necessary for usage scenarios such as turn-by-turn navigation, and the system would go very easy on the smartphone’s battery and data capacity. Only the services such as telephony and messenger services usually connected to a mobile phone number would have to be powered by the smartphone’s Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and displayed on the instrument cluster via the Connected Infotainment Box. Yet another benefit? The platform’s operating system and important security and function updates can be installed directly and remotely via the built-in wireless interfaces. If requested, this OTA update function of the Connected Infotainment Box can also be used by manufacturers to update other control units in the vehicle. When it comes to cybersecurity, Continental benefits from its broad positioning as a supplier for all vehicle classes and can integrate the expertise of its subsidiaries, Elektrobit and Argus Cybersecurity.
