Nov 5, 2013

  • Continental also leverages its 111 years of instrumentation experience for the motorcycle cockpit
  • Tailored motorcycle solutions for high-end markets or large volumes for affordable models available
  • TFT displays impress with their multi-functionality and maximum ruggedness

Schwalbach am Taunus / Milan, November 5, 2013. Continental continues to contribute its 111 years of experience from vehicle instrumentation to the booming motorcycle market - and is transferring the latest technologies and achievements to that market very rapidly thanks to international networking of its development and production sites. At the International motorcycle exhibition EICMA in Milan, Italy, from November 7 through 10, 2013, the automotive supplier will present cutting-edge high-end solutions for modern motorcycles and cost-conscious products for the price-sensitive Asian market.

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Continental caters for all market segments with its broad portfolio ranging from low-cost individual displays to the state-of-the-art, fully integrated digital cockpit. This broad range means small and inexpensive motorcycles and scooters, as well as luxury sport and touring motorcycles, can be fitted with tailored instrumentation. "It has long been the case that not only high-end vehicles are to be equipped with pure electronics solutions. Demand is also high in the price-sensitive segments," says Dr. Michael Ruf, Head of the Business Unit Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket at Continental. "With the Electronic Instrument Cluster (EIC) with an integrated speed sensor, motorcycle manufacturers like us are delivering an ideal solution for switching from a purely mechanical to a completely electronic solution." Users benefit from greater ruggedness, reliability, accuracy and flexibility - and the development overhead for vehicle makers is modest. That is because the mechanical signal is converted into an electronic one in the cluster, with the result that neither the shaft nor drive of the mechanical solution has to be changed.

In addition to its technological capabilities, the instrument cluster also offers, in particular, outstanding quality and high durability under the toughest conditions: One example of these advantages for users is in Continental's displays that use thin film transistor (TFT) technology.
They have long become established as an instrumentation solution in the vehicle interior - and thanks to Continental, TFT technology is now entering the motorcycle cockpit arena.The TFT units transfers just about all conceivable information to motorcyclists: from their speed, outside temperature and navigation to the handle heating setting, as well as transfer of the smartphone display. The robust design makes the solution ideal for coping with the extremely conditions in motorcycle cockpits and ensures a long and reliable service life despite changes in the weather and harsh conditions. The developers have attached great importance to making sure that the display can be read optimally. The high contrast means motorcyclists can read the information easily in all lighting conditions. A key contribution to that is provided by the outstanding quality of the 4.2-inch screen, which has 480 x 272 pixels and so can even show graphics perfectly. The smart product design gives motorcycle manufacturers maximum freedom in designing cockpits - and rounds out tailor-made high-end vehicles from top-flight manufacturers with high-end instrumentation to match. That is because the high-quality TFT units can be integrated easily in a wide range of different concepts to suit individual needs.

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