The strong market trend towards integration the ESC sensor functionality into the airbag control unit, Continental associated its inertial sensor business to its passenger safety division based in Regensburg. This move concentrates the strengths and expertise of both activities and enables continued growth. The goal is enabling further product innovations, Continental informed in a press release.

This newly combined business unit brings together widely separated activities. "The sensorics technologies have a positive impact on our future business of passive safety", said Bernhard Klumpp who oversees the new PSS division. "We will be a more powerful organisation and can offer sophisticated overall concepts with high efficiency and reliability".

According to Continental, the new PSS organization strengthens the chassis & safety system concept and addresses the customer's individual requirements across the globe. For instance, the Advanced Sensors & Satellites segment offers sensors that can be deployed in steering, undercarriage, brake and battery monitoring applications as well as acceleration and pressure satellite sensors that guarantee protection across the board in the case of an accident. Satellites are an essential element in passive safety systems and collaborate closely with the airbag controller.

In the portfolio of the Speed Sensors segment, wheel speed sensors for ABS and ESC systems can be found as well as engine and transmission tachometers enabling engineers to determine position, speed and rotational sense.

By taking the position at the helm of the Passive Safety & Sensors division, Bernhard Klumpp now holds the global responsibility for Continental's activities associated to undercarriage and safety sensorics as well as occupant protection. His career at Continental started in 2001; throughout this career he oversaw the Industrial Engineering Electronic Brake Systems segment, he was general manager for Continental's Mexican sensor production in Silao and Vice President of the Sensorics Business Center.