Sono Motors to Integrate Continental’s ADAS System in the Solar-Powered Sion

German solar mobility OEM, Sono Motors, is expanding its cooperation with the technology company Continental by equipping the Sion series-validation vehicles, the company’s solar electric vehicle (SEV), with further proven technologies from the automotive supplier. Among other features, the companies will integrate an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) from Continental in Sono Motors’ series-validation vehicles.

The two companies have also been developing the software for comfort control and climate control, as well as the energy, charge level and thermal management of the powertrain.

Under the expanded cooperation, Continental will also provide intelligent connectivity features, like a passive access and smart entry system, which automatically recognises an authenticated user approaching the car, opens the vehicle doors and starts the low voltage systems, alongside a start/stop button for Sono Motors’ series-validation vehicles.

In the area of safety, the two companies are also integrating the Sion’s crash sensor. 

Sono Motors currently plans to start production of the Sion in the second half of 2023.

“We started our partnership with Continental in 2018 by working on parts like the electric engine, the software for the Sion’s vehicle control unit and airbag control unit. Extending our cooperation to other areas, such as ADAS and connectivity, not only helps us to make rapid and decisive progress in development, but also gives us confidence that we will provide technology of proven quality to our customers,” says Laurin Hahn, co-founder and CEO of Sono Motors.

“We are particularly committed to sustainable mobility solutions and are therefore delighted to be actively involved in a climate-friendly and exciting mobility project as a partner of Sono Motors,” adds Christoph Falk-Gierlinger, Managing Director of Continental’s development and production service provider, Continental Engineering Services.

Sono Motors has over 20,000 reservations with advance down-payments for the Sion as of 1 September 2022.