Continental rolling out tyre line for autonomous vehicles

Continental has rolled out an original equipment tyre line for use on driverless vehicles.

The ‘aContact’ tyre family combines specially developed tyre technologies that meet the varying requirements and areas of application of autonomous vehicle fleets.

The tyres are said to be well suited to robo-taxis, shuttle vehicles, autonomous delivery services and, in the future, self-driving private cars.

Continental says its aContact tyres will soon be hitting public roads for the first time in US cities such as Las Vegas and San Francisco.

“Self-driving robo-taxis will soon be part of our everyday mobility – alongside traditional cars, cargo bikes and e-scooters,” claims Meletis Xigakis, head of research and development for the original equipment business at Continental Tires. “To ensure maximum efficiency, it is crucial they are equipped with tyres made specifically for the job.”

“That is where our aContact product line comes in, combining technologies that have been adapted and customised for the ordering manufacturer or mobility provider – promoting safety and optimising performance and efficiency,” he added.

Continental supplies its customised aContact options to several customers that operate or will operate self-driving vehicle fleets. This calls for different aContact quality requirements and technological specifications, depending on the area of application.

Safety features are always paramount, however, including short braking distances and superior handling – including in wet conditions. Aside from that, the demands placed on the vehicle can vary widely: for example, if it has to operate in hectic commuter traffic, or if it is used to shuttle airport passengers back and forth along a clearly defined route.

Continental says it is taking all of these variables into account and is adapting the rubber compound and tread design accordingly.

Customers can also special-order tyres with a highly robust sidewall construction that extends their service life. Lower rolling resistance is another common request, as this maximises the range of autonomous electric vehicles.

Tyres for self-driving cars usually have a relatively narrow and tall construction profile, which reduces air resistance as well as lowers rolling resistance.

Taller tyres are also better equipped to carry the load of heavy vehicle bodies and battery packs, which positively impacts handling and driving stability. To make the driving experience as quiet as possible, Continental also makes a targeted effort to minimise external rolling noise when developing its aContact tyres.