Continental's Body High-Performance Computer (HPC).

Central Element of Server-based Vehicle Architecture.

Digitalization opens the door into a world of new functions and services for future mobility. But this is also exponentially increasing the amount of information and data that has to be processed. Current E/E architecture already is coming to its limits. Automotive mega trends such as automated driving, software defined cars or connected mobility require more and more intelligence and computing power.

A cornerstone to overcome these challenges is the Continental Body High-Performance Computer as the central element of future server-based E/E architecture. As a central node it allows the necessary data management capabilities for cloud and IoT services. 
The Body HPC is on the one hand the host for all body related functions but on the other hand also has the capability of certain x-domain function integration. Beside this, the Body HPC enables the flexible integration of software and services from multiple vendors.

Our Solution for Tomorrow’s Vehicles.

Continental‘s Body HPC is a central element for the transition to a service-oriented vehicle system architecture. A new level of computing power and a consistent separation of hardware and software are paving the way for new functions and convenient over-the-air updates.
The Body HPC is the central data hub and connection point between the vehicle and the digital world, with the ability to update and upgrade features over the vehicles life cycle. Beside this, our Body HPC enables the flexible integration of software and services from multiple vendors. All this at highest security standards.
More

Cornerstone of Modern Vehicle Architecture.

Body HPC Platform Realizing Individual Use Cases

HPC

The Evolution of Vehicle Architecture.

Increasing system complexity and functional growth bring todays E/E architectures to its limits. The server/zone architecture can be used to clean up the existing E/E system in the vehicle. Reduction in stand-alone ECUs and wiring harness allow an overall architecture optimization, leading to less weight and CO² emissions.

The Body HPC offers data processing and data security features rather known from the IT industry then from classical vehicle architectures. The high computing power of the Body HPC enables central hosting of vehicle functions, leading to standardized and cost-effective components and functions.

More

Ausklapper-Scope-2_1500x843.jpg

The Body High Performance Computer fulfills central requirements such as consistent hardware/software separation by means of the basic software developed by Elektrobit based on adaptive AUTOSAR and virtualization (multiple operating systems on four virtual ECUs). This leads to an efficient and flexible, security concept (ASIL, non-ASIL) and fulfils the requirement for new business models and the integration of numerous software sources. 

The hardware of the HPC includes a microprocessor with external memory and multi-core technology. The HPC provides high-speed data interfaces and supports virtualization using hypervisor technology. The communication architecture is designed for service orientation. The middleware also supports connectivity via Gigabit Automotive Ethernet, which provides the necessary data throughput for the applications. The HPC also handles coordination of the connection to a backend and the applications available there. With regard to future applications such as automated driving, the HPC has already been designed for the fusion of sensor data.

By maintaining sufficient memory and processing power (in the HPC currently, typically more than 10 K DMIPS – Dhrystone Million Instructions Per Second), it is possible to flash new software or update existing software at any time.
Transition
The Body HPC combines the functions of a gateway with the functional scope of a body controller in a powerful unit and supports the development of x-domain function integration. For the implementation layer of the Zone Control Units under the HPC, the server is also the interface for the traditional hardware and software inputs.
E-E-Architecture
The server/zone architecture can be used to clean up the existing E/E system in the vehicle. Reduction in stand-alone ECUs and wiring harness allow an overall EEA optimization, leading to less weight and CO² emissions. The high computing power of Body HPC enable central hosting of vehicle functions, leading to standardized and cost-effective components and functions. 
As a server, the computer offers the possibility to install additional functions from different sources over-the-air after the end of the vehicle production line. Therefore, the HPC initially appears oversized, because the existing computing power as well as the memory volume are initially only partially utilized. 
However, the maintained power buffer makes the HPC future-proof for years to come and enables the subsequent realization of new data and service-based business models (feature upgrades, new functions).

Lifelong Learning Vehicles with Continental’s Body HPC

As a leading player we are able to realize the paradigm shift to new server-based E/E architecture. We are the first supplier who launched a Body High-Performance Computer successfully.
With our attractive and standardized offering we are able to control the whole E/E architecture from the vehicle to the cloud (hardware, system integration etc.) with all necessary building blocks including 3rd party solutions.
Our strong competence in system architecture makes us the right partner of choice right from the E/E architecture definition phase.
More

Body HPC Makes the Car Future Proof

Benefits for Our Customers

Ausklapper-Use-cases_1500x1000_v2.jpg     
  • High computing power of Body HPC allows central hosting of vehicle functions, leading to standardized and cost-effective components and functions
  • Reduction in stand-alone ECUs and wiring harness, enabling less weight and CO2 emissions
  • Central data and service management
  • Enhanced customer experience with possibility to update and upgrade vehicle over-the-air over the vehicles life cycle
  • State-of-the-art cyber security & extended range of vehicle diagnosis
  • High possibilities for new service businesses after the start of production
  • Integration platform for software and services from multiple vendors
  • Supporting OEs strategy of hardware-software separation /universal software architecture
  • Shorter times to market
  • Improved fault tolerance, redundancy

Our References

Continental Vehicle Server connects VW ID. Electric Vehicles. 

Continental has launched world’s first mass-produced Body High-Performance Computer as the so-called in-car application server (ICAS1) in Volkswagen’s ID.3 and ID.4 electric vehicles enabling software updates over-the-air.
Further series productions of domain-specific high-performance computers for more than 20 vehicle models from various manufacturers and brands are planned in 2021 and 2022 alone.

 

Press release

Our Award Winning Technology

Continental received a 2020 CLEPA Innovation Award from the European Association of Automotive Suppliers for its Body High-Performance Computer (HPC) and Continental Cooperation Portal in the category “Cooperation”.
Our solutions were awarded as pioneering innovation developed in close cooperation with a vehicle manufacturer.

 
Press Release

Talk to Our Experts

You want to see more about Continental’s Body High-Performance Computer watch our recorded web session.
You have a specific question about the technical concept?
Or you are just curious to learn more about the Body HPC?
Send us a message and we'll connect you to an expert!
Contact