May 13, 2024 - Continental has implemented a cross-domain High-Performance Computer (HPC) in a car, which for the first time hosts cockpit functions along with additional vehicle functions like driving safety. The technology car serves as a showcase for what the development of Software-defined Vehicles (SDVs) can look like for automotive engineers and utilizes the cloud-based Continental Automotive Edge (CAEdge) framework.  The implementation was leveraged by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc’s Snapdragon Ride™ Flex System-on-Chip (SoC) with pre-integrated Snapdragon Ride Vision perception stack.

The goal is not only to show how well functions work, but to validate how well multiple technologies  can be integrated and work alongside each other in HPC-based vehicle architectures within a software-defined vehicle. It is a crucial step to show  the market that the goal to combine several control units in one HPC is not just  feasible, but also can achieve the cost benefits our customers want to see.

The SDV technology car demonstrates the best and most innovative solutions that our Automotive group sector portfolio has to offer in one vehicle architecture. The variety of connected technology deployed includes holistic motion control, ultrasonic sensors, integrated brake system, and surround view cameras - all within an innovative cockpit platform.

A key element for the implementation of the very first cross-domain HPC in a real car is the Snapdragon Ride Flex SoC, which is the automotive industry’s first family of SoCs that supports multi-modal critical workloads on a single chip. The Flex SoC is designed for optimized cost, power, and performance, making it possible for automakers and suppliers to accelerate their time-to-market advantage and embrace a seamless, open, and adaptable approach to designing their vehicles. Passengers benefit from an enhanced driving experience characterized by added assistance, safety, and comfort.