World First: Continental Integrates Face Authentication Invisibly Behind Driver Display Console

Continental Communications India
Continental India
Published in
3 min readJan 26, 2024

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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

The camera hardware for facial recognition can be found behind the screen for the driver display console — the integrated technology is invisible and does not affect the interior 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.

The design of the screen area is an evolution of the technology, which won an Innovation Award at CES in 2023. A camera with biometric authentication in the interior checks whether the person in the driver’s seat is authorized to start the vehicle.

Sophisticated convenience and safety functions — which are not visually noticeable when in use.

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

Continental’s “Face Authentication Display” makes it possible to unlock the vehicle safely and conveniently using biometric facial recognition. A display seamlessly integrated into the B-pillar provides additional information.

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.

Highly secure biometric facial recognition from trinamiX

Face authentication is based on innovative technology developed by trinamiX that meets the highest biometric security requirements.

“trinamiX Face Authentication ensures the highest security standards in both the exterior and interior.

The technology is able to distinguish real skin from other materials. This additional layer of security prevents the vehicle from being unlocked using a realistically reproduced mask, AI-generated images or similar.

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Continental Communications India
Continental India

A curated set of technology articles for all automotive enthusiasts. Written by topic experts in Continental India.