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ContinentalContinental has reached a new milestone in tyre development, becoming one of the first manufacturers to successfully test tyres using a fully automated vehicle at its Contidrom proving ground near Hanover, Germany. This breakthrough strengthens the company’s leading position in innovative testing processes and autonomous mobility systems.
The test, conducted in June 2025, saw a driverless test vehicle navigate a series of dynamic handling scenarios on wet and dry surfaces. With no driver present and all systems operated remotely, the vehicle performed a variety of high-precision manoeuvres, all designed to simulate real world conditions and push the boundaries of tyre performance.
The achievement is the latest evolution of Continental’s long-standing commitment to digitalisation and automation in product development. By integrating advanced software, sensor technology, and robotics into its testing infrastructure, Continental aims to make tyre evaluation safer, more efficient, and more reliable. The automated test car is equipped with multiple fail safe systems and sensors, ensuring precision control and consistent repeatability elements vital to rigorous tyre testing.
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The fully automated test vehicle is part of Continental’s wider vision to reshape the future of mobility through innovation and sustainability. By removing human variables from tyre testing, the company is able to capture more accurate, standardised data that informs both product refinement and long-term research into intelligent tyre systems.
Continental’s Head of Tyre Testing, Rolf Blume, commented: “This successful trial is more than a technical achievement, it is a forward-looking step in autonomous driving and digital tyre development. With this capability, we are better equipped to understand and optimise tyre performance in a fully controlled, reproducible way.”
The test was carried out at the Contidrom, Continental’s state-of-the-art proving ground, which features Europe’s first fully automated AIBA (Automated Indoor Braking Analyser). Together, the AIBA and the new driverless vehicle testing system represent a world-class environment for future-ready research in tyre safety, sustainability, and smart mobility solutions.
This innovation aligns with Continental’s “Vision Zero” strategy, the company’s mission to achieve zero accidents, zero emissions, and zero stress in road transport. With the growing demands of autonomous and electric vehicles, Continental is investing heavily in adaptive technologies that will underpin the next generation of smart, sustainable mobility.
The success of this automated trial reflects Continental’s status as a mobility technology leader, and further strengthens its position at the forefront of digital testing and intelligent tyre development.
As the automotive industry accelerates towards autonomy and electrification, Continental’s fully automated tyre testing is set to play a vital role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and environmental compatibility of future vehicles.