Continental hits 200 Million Radar milestone; Paves way for safer, autonomous mobility

Continental has reached a major milestone with the production of 200 million radar sensors, solidifying its leadership in the automotive industry. With more than 20 percent market share in vital safety technology components, the company is at the forefront of the rapidly growing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) market, which is moving toward automated and autonomous driving.

The journey began in 1999, when Continental introduced the first generation of long-range radar in the Mercedes S-Class. By 2021, the company had supplied 100 million radar systems, and just four years later, the production reached the remarkable figure of 200 million. This rapid pace of innovation reflects not only significant advancements in radar technology but also the increasing demand for vehicle safety features.

In the first quarter of the year, Continental also secured major series orders from several vehicle manufacturers, amounting to €1.5 billion. Production for these orders is slated to begin in 2026 and 2027, depending on the manufacturer.

“The mark of 200 million sensors produced – and the major series orders – emphasize that Continental stands for high-tech engineering, pioneering spirit, and customized technology solutions for every application in the automotive market,” said Ismail Dagli, head of the Autonomous Mobility business area at Continental. “Radar sensors are a key component for the mobility of today and tomorrow. Without a differentiated portfolio of various radar systems, such as those from Continental, autonomous driving would not be possible.”

The rapid growth in radar sensor production is driven by the increasing integration of radar-based advanced driver assistance systems in modern vehicles. These systems enhance safety and comfort for both drivers and pedestrians. While older vehicles typically had one radar sensor for functions like adaptive cruise control, today’s cars may use up to nine sensors for tasks such as emergency braking, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, cross-traffic alerts, and parking assistance.

Radar systems are also crucial for highly automated or autonomous vehicles, which require precise, 360-degree monitoring of their surroundings. These systems combine radar sensors with other technologies such as cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and LiDAR to ensure the vehicle can safely navigate complex driving environments.

Continental has played a pivotal role in the development of radar technology for vehicles. The company was behind the world’s first radar system for cars, launched in 1999 with Daimler’s S-Class. The first-generation radar was a large, heavy system with a range of 150 meters, offering the first adaptive cruise control feature. Today’s radar sensors are far more compact and efficient, with microchips that process sensor signals in real-time. These advanced sensors are often integrated with other sensor technologies, making them capable of handling a range of complex tasks.

“Smart radar sensors, for example, are already equipped with powerful microchips, which directly process the signals received from the sensor and – usually in combination with data from other sensor systems such as cameras – make it available in real time,” explained Norbert Hammerschmidt, head of the Components Business in the Autonomous Mobility business area at Continental.

Continental’s radar sensors are used in a wide range of vehicles, from mass-market passenger cars to premium autonomous vehicles and even two-wheelers. The company’s portfolio includes radar systems designed for short-range applications, like parking assistance, and long-range systems for highway driving. For example, the new 4D long-range radar is set to replace the previous generation and will support fully autonomous driving systems.

Despite these advancements, most of Continental’s radar production is dedicated to high-performance, affordable solutions for mass-produced vehicles. These systems support a variety of functions, from lane departure warning to collision avoidance, offering a blend of safety and value for everyday drivers.

Continental continues to lead the way in developing cutting-edge radar technologies for the future of connected, autonomous, and sustainable mobility.