India / Germany – Continental AG of Hanover, has inaugurated a USD122 million extension to its Technical Centre at its campus in Bengaluru, India. The new one million sq. ft. site will house some 6,500 employees, who will be responsible for automotive research and development (R&D). The new extension houses hi-tech hardware, software and vehicle testing facilities, catering for both local and international markets. Continental seeks to develop a competitive advantage over its competitors by expanding its range of software in vehicles.

First established in 2009, the technical centre falls under Continental’s Software and Central Technologies (SCT) engineering arm, focusing on advanced safety technologies, autonomous driving, connected mobility technologies, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, machine learning and cyber security. This part of the business has also developed radar software built into driver-assistance technologies such as adaptive cruise control, emergency brake assist and lane change assist. Furthermore, the building has received a platinum certification from the India Green Building Council (IGBC), as it utilises renewable energy from solar panels and harvests rainwater.