Ford Motor Company Research and Advanced Engineering

Recognition for Continental's innovation in transport technologies

Top position worldwide in the European Patent Office's patent index for transport technologies in 2020

Awarded for Bidirectional Long Range Communications (BLRC) System

2016 Automotive News PACE Innovation Partnership Award

For Bare Die High-Density-Interconnect (BD-HDI) Printed Circuit Board Substrate Technology and Multi-application Unified Sensor Element (MUSE)

2015 PACE Awards

For Digital Micromirror Head-Up Display technology

2018 PACE Award

2020 PACEpilot award

Collaboration on automotive technologies for the French market

Continental Automotive France

Partnership for full-stack autonomous driving technologies

Ambarella Partnership

Collaboration on autonomous trucking systems

Aurora Innovation Collaboration

Partnership for integrating AI capabilities into vehicles

Google Cloud Partnership

Development of audio processing units for vehicle audio systems

Development of safety systems for electric vehicles

Current Sensor Module (CSM) and Battery Impact Detection (BID) system

Creating efficient cooling systems for electric vehicle batteries

Thermal management systems for EV batteries

Integration of high-performance computers and interactive displays for connected cockpits

Connected cockpit systems

Development of market-ready products for improved user interfaces in EVs

Enhanced user experience in electric cars

Continental, an automotive supplier and technology company, focuses on transport technologies and connected vehicles. Its Hanover Development Center employs approximately 1,000 researchers, designers, and engineers. Continental led the 2020 European Patent Office's patent index for transport technologies. The company rigorously tests its tires, with new models covering 25 million kilometers annually on test rigs and tracks before production. Continental's research spans autonomous driving, electrification, and software-defined vehicles. Beyond its core facilities, an AI Lab in Berlin and the Taraxagum Lab Anklam research alternative rubber. Continental pioneered vehicle connectivity in 1996 and has since connected over 50 million vehicles.

Major R&D center with around 1,000 researchers, designers, and engineers

Hanover Development Center

AI-ready data center crucial for autonomous driving and AI research

Frankfurt AI Data Center

AI Competence Centre for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Budapest AI Competence Centre

Research and development arm focusing on autonomous driving technologies

Silicon Valley Research Center

North American headquarters of the Continental Automotive Systems division

Auburn Hills CAS Headquarters

Headquarters for North and South American tire divisions

Fort Mill Tire Headquarters

Continental's AI Lab in Berlin focuses on developing artificial intelligence technologies for autonomous driving and connected vehicles.

AI Lab Berlin

The Taraxagum Lab Anklam researches alternative rubber sources, such as dandelion rubber, for use in Continental's tire production.

Taraxagum Lab Anklam

Continental is actively researching and developing technologies for autonomous driving, including sensors, software, and vehicle control systems.

Autonomous Driving Research

Continental first connected vehicles to the internet in 1996. To date, its technology has helped enable features like remote diagnostics, software updates, and infotainment services.

Vehicle Connectivity

Continental AG - Automotive Research Hero Image

Dr. Carla Recker

Prof. Dr. Dirk Prüfer

Dr. Christian Schulze Gronover

Focuses on AI technologies such as Computer Vision, Hybrid AI, and Automated Data Labelling for automotive applications

Research laboratory dedicated to dandelion rubber, exploring alternative rubber sources

Continental

CUbEX is a research and development project by Continental focused on creating intelligent mobility technologies for urban areas. It involves developing technologies such as autonomous shuttles, intelligent traffic management systems, and integrated mobility services to improve urban transportation efficiency and sustainability.

Continental Urban Mobility Experience (CUbEX)

The AMoRobot is an autonomous delivery robot developed by Continental for last-mile logistics in urban areas. It is designed to navigate sidewalks and pedestrian zones, delivering packages and goods to customers' doorsteps.

Continental Autonomous Mobility Robot (AMoRobot)

Continental's Intelligent Intersection project aims to improve safety and traffic flow at intersections by integrating vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, sensor technology, and intelligent traffic management systems. It enables vehicles and infrastructure to share real-time data and coordinate movements.

Continental Intelligent Intersection

Most Innovative Volume Brand 2023

Expanding EV lineup with plans to introduce over 40 electric and hybrid models

Electric Vehicle Development

Advanced driver-assistance system allowing for hands-free operation in certain conditions

BlueCruise Technology

Development of collaborative robots, 3D printing, and augmented/virtual reality for manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing Technologies

Advancing digital transformation in vehicle software and connectivity

Software-Defined Vehicles

Research into new transportation technologies and technologies at Michigan Central

Future Mobility

Ford's Research and Advanced Engineering (R&A) division develops future mobility solutions, integrating smart vehicles into a smart world. FordLabs conducts rapid experiments and research to address customer problems. The company's Silicon Valley presence fosters collaboration with technical and design talent. The Ford Robotics Building, a partnership with The University of Michigan, provides facilities for robotics and autonomous systems research.

Primary research facility for Ford R&A Europe

Ford Research and Innovation Center (RIC) in Aachen, Germany

Ford Development Center in Cologne, Germany

Ford proving ground in Lommel, Belgium

182,000 square foot facility focusing on connected vehicles, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies

Ford Greenfield Labs

Historic campus for core automotive research and development

Research & Engineering Center

Focuses on software-led connected vehicles, artificial intelligence, and university research partnerships

Ford Atlanta Research and Innovation Center (FARIC)

135,000 square foot facility serving as an incubator for manufacturing innovations

Advanced Manufacturing Center

New mobility innovation district in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood

Michigan Central

A partnership between Ford and The University of Michigan, providing a dedicated research site for to robotics research and development at the University of Michigan.

Ford Robotics Building

Ford is actively researching and developing autonomous vehicle technology while also adding new computer-aided functionality to driving experience such as automatic lane changes.

Autonomous Vehicles

Significant portion of revenue allocated to research and development activities

Internal R&D Budget

Various research grants from government agencies

Government Grants

Collaborative funding through partnerships with academic institutions

University Partnerships

John Lambe

James Zimmerman

Arnold Silver

Robert Jaklevic

James Mercereau

Primary research facility in Silicon Valley, focusing on connected vehicles, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies

Ford Research and Innovation Center (RIC) Palo Alto

Conducts research and develops technologies to prevent Ford from spending money on technologies customers don't want or need

FordLabs

World-class robotics facility in partnership with the University of Michigan, focusing on robots that fly, walk, roll and augment

182,000 square foot facility in Palo Alto, home to nearly 300 researchers, engineers, designers and scientists

Made a key breakthrough in 1964 with the invention of the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)

Ford Research Labs (Historical)

Ford Motor Company (United States) research video

Ford Motor Company

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is Ford's first all-electric SUV and one of the company's most significant electric vehicle initiatives. Launched in 2020, the Mach-E aims to bring the iconic Mustang nameplate into the electric era, offering a range of up to 300 miles and advanced technology features.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Ford F-150 Lightning is Ford's first all-electric pickup truck, set to launch in 2022. It aims to bring the iconic F-150 nameplate into the electric vehicle era, offering impressive towing and hauling capabilities while producing zero emissions.

Ford F-150 Lightning

The Ford Model T, introduced in 1908, was one of the most influential and groundbreaking projects in automotive history. It was the first affordable automobile for the masses, revolutionizing transportation and manufacturing with its assembly line production.

Ford Motor Company

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