Continental, a technology business, is taking a minority stake in Leipzig-based startup Kopernikus Automotive. The two corporations have agreed not to reveal the amount of money they are investing. Kopernikus, a specialist in autonomous driving technologies, creates solutions for vehicle handling based on infrastructure. The system is based on sensors that are permanently embedded in the infrastructure and artificial intelligence-based algorithms that control the movement of the cars from a central location.
The first two use cases of this technology are automated parking in parking garages, also known as Automated Valet Parking (AVP), and autonomous manoeuvring of, for example, newly produced vehicles at vehicle manufacturers or in logistics areas.
The first automobiles are already being driven through automotive factories without a driver, relying on infrastructure; this technology will fundamentally alter parking in the not-too-distant future. With Automated Valet Parking, drivers exit their vehicle at a location such as an airport terminal, hand it over to the infrastructure via an app, and the car parks itself.
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The infrastructure constructed in the parking garage directs the car. Here, cameras are used as sensors. AI-based algorithms are at the heart of the system, ensuring that all cars are orchestrated and guided safely and optimally. Kopernikus Automotive offers a cost-effective system that can be installed in any parking garage, hotel, or airport to prepare it for autonomous parking.
An extra vehicle function (Central Motion Control), which transforms the trajectory provided by the intelligent infrastructure into control of the associated actuators, is required to use the solution. An automatic transmission, an electric parking brake, electric steering assistance, and an intelligent communication unit are all needed vehicle components. Many automobiles already have them as standard equipment.
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“In the future, cars in factories, logistics centres and parking garages will be moved autonomously. Kopernikus and Continental are working together to develop a safe, comfortable and affordable solution. At Continental, we are working on both solutions ie. autonomous parking procedures based on vehicle sensor data and a solution based on intelligent infrastructure – similar to intelligent intersections. For us, the stake in Kopernikus is the logical next step in moving forward with both topics, while at the same time offering a timely and marketable solution,” says Ralph Lauxmann, head of Strategy and Future Solutions for the Autonomous Mobility and Safety business area at Continental.
Continental and Kopernikus' solution will be demonstrated for the first time at IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich from September 6–12. Continental and Kopernikus will conduct a collaborative driving demonstration in Munich's IAA "Messe West" parking garage with Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar-Land Rover, and the Volkswagen Automotive software subsidiary CARIAD.
The VDA Automated Valet Parking (AVP) project will focus on demonstrating the infrastructure-based solution's interoperability with a variety of vehicle manufacturers and other infrastructure suppliers. “Here, you can experience live how we interact with various vehicle manufacturers and brands to implement autonomous parking for everyone,” says Stefan Jenzowsky, managing director of Kopernikus Automotive.
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