Automated Driving: Continental Invests in Sensor Pioneer AEye

Continental is consolidating its leadership position in the field of assisted and automated driving with a minority stake in sensor pioneer AEye. The company, headquartered in Dublin, California, USA, has developed a precision, high-performance, long-range lidar technology. Continental plans to industrialize this for passenger cars and trucks. The volume production launch is scheduled for late 2024. The two companies have agreed not to disclose the proposed investment amount.

Along with cameras and radars, lidar sensors count among the key technologies for automated driving. Continental has more than 20 years of experience in lidar sensors alone. In 2019, the technology company generated some 2 billion euros from driver assistance systems, making it one of the leading suppliers in this growth market.

The lidar from AEye is characterized by high performance in long-range detection. Vehicles are detected at a distance of over 300 meters and pedestrians at over 200 meters. Furthermore, even small, low-reflecting objects like bricks are reliably detected at a distance of up to 160 meters.

With its stake in AEye, Continental is thus complementing its existing close-range lidar technology. In late 2020, Continental will start volume production of the sensor for a well-known vehicle manufacturer’s premium vehicles worldwide. Here, it is an important component of the system for highly automated driving.