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Continental's chassis and safety division has introduced a new central controller that can process and integrate information from a wide range of safety and body systems.

The system networks all the sensors in chassis, safety and suspension and then optimises their combined performance centrally. This means that conflicting signals from sensors are matched and simultaneous interventions by the driver and the car can be balanced for optimal performance before the sensors individually trigger responses.

Dr Peter Laier, executive vice president of the chassis components business unit, said: "Like the conductor in an orchestra, this controller ensures that the many individual players come together to form a harmonious whole. Because everything is coordinated centrally, simultaneous interventions in steering, braking, and shock absorption systems, for instance, can be attuned to each other optimally.

"This approach to integration is characterized by narrow interfaces, which increase system security. And because of this network, the overall system is even better able to perform, and is more secure, by comparison to the coexistence approach used when individual systems that work independently of one another are networked together.”

The system is geared to avoid sensors working at cross purposes. It can take information on imminent events from devices such as cameras to activate the engine management system before a tight curve, for instance, which in turn would mean the ESC stability control needs to work less hard.

The software behind the controller is based on an Autosar standard and is being integrated into Continental's overall ContiGuard safety concept. Because the sensors around the car are integrated, the system uses less of the vehicle's central computing power than individual sensors would.