Continental presents the “Face Authentication Display,” a two-stage access control system based on biometric user recognition that uses special camera systems mounted externally on the vehicle’s B-pillar and invisibly behind the driver display console. Thanks to biometric face authentication, the vehicle opens and starts up as soon as it detects a registered user. The system reliably detects attempted deception thanks to unique liveness detection from trinamiX, a leading provider of biometric solutions and a subsidiary of BASF SE.
Perfect combination of user experience and design
In order not to spoil the design of the vehicle interior, Continental has positioned the necessary camera technology behind the driver display console for the first time, which enables a frameless screen surface. A camera with biometric authentication in the interior checks whether the person in the driver’s seat is authorized to start the vehicle. Other digital services, such as a payment function, also have this feature. The high-contrast and bright OLED display has been specially adapted so that the optical components can detect people through the pixels of the activated display. In addition, the sensors integrated into the system include the functionality of reliable attention and fatigue detection.
Keyless entry to the vehicle: facial identification
Advanced facial authentication technology, which Continental also integrates into the vehicle’s B-pillar, makes it possible to open the driver’s door without a key or other means of access. Thanks to this system from trinamiX, a leading provider of biometric solutions, the vehicle is unlocked solely by secure authentication of the driver.
A special camera integrated into the B-pillar not only checks the visual match with a known user, but also allows for the recognition of real skin. The double authentication in the exterior and interior not only represents a further level of security to protect against theft, but rather it also makes it possible, for example, to grant all family members access to the car at any time, while preventing children from starting the engine.
Innovative concept: integration of a display in the exterior that is only visible when in use
An additional display integrated into the B-pillar allows the user to interact with the vehicle. In addition to unlocking the doors, the charging progress of an electric car can also be displayed intuitively and in a visually impressive manner on the exterior as you approach the vehicle. When not in use, the display, which is seamlessly integrated into the B-pillar, is not visible and can therefore be fully integrated into any design concept. This means that the “In2Visible” technology developed by Continental is also being used in vehicle exteriors for the first time.
“Transferring our technologies from the interior to the exterior is a logical next step if this allows us to incorporate additional safety aspects and convenience functions. By extending our UX portfolio to the exterior, vehicle manufacturers and end users will benefit in equal measure from intuitive new interaction options,” explained Mergell.
