(Yicai Global) Sept. 14 -- Continental China, the Chinese subsidiary of global automotive firm Continental AG [FWB:CON], has introduced a new developer platform, Cube (Continental Urban Mobility Experience), that allows access to its autonomous driving technology development platform through mobile software.

The platform will let passengers travel to their destinations safely and comfortably without a driver after specifying the destinations on their phones.

"Autonomous, electric vehicles that do not have drivers, steering wheels or brake pedals will make an important contribution to improving traffic conditions and the quality of life in urban areas," said Elmar Degenhart, Continental AG chair. "With our Cube systems, vehicles will become more cost-effective, environmentally friendly, convenient and safe."

Cube uses radar sensors and cameras to survey its environment and also features the firm's laser sensors dubbed light detection and ranging solution, known as LiDAR.

The platform can identify pedestrians and communicate with them via an external display, giving priority to those who are in the vehicle's path. It also recognizes traffic lights, their positions and switching phases, allowing the vehicle to travel through traffic flows smoothly.

Cube also uses Vehicle-to-X (V2X) communication technology to communicate with traffic light control systems, in addition to a visual analysis through the use of cameras. V2X is an integrated, secure car network to help facilitate information communication between cars, between base stations and between cars and base stations. Continental has developed a complete set of software and hardware products for unmanned driving.

The system is one of the three pillars underpinning Continental's autonomous driving solutions, which also include cruising chauffeur, self-driving cars and automated parking.