Continental will open the 2026 Tire Technology Expo with a keynote presentation on tire technologies designed for autonomous vehicles, underscoring the supplier’s increasing focus on mobility systems for self-driving platforms.
Dr. Andreas Topp, head of platform development and industrialization for passenger-car tires at Continental, will deliver the keynote on March 4 at the Hanover Exhibition Center in Germany. The presentation will examine how tires must adapt to the operational demands of autonomous vehicles, including integration with advanced vehicle dynamics controls, optimized fleet performance, and designs tailored to specific usage profiles.
Autonomous mobility is expected to alter tire requirements significantly, particularly for fleet-operated robotaxis that accumulate high mileage and require consistent performance over extended duty cycles. Continental said its solutions aim to support these emerging operational patterns.
Beyond autonomous driving, the company will present research on sustainability and materials science. One session will focus on identifying recovered carbon black (rCB), a recycled material derived from end-of-life tires through pyrolysis. Prof. Jorge Lacayo-Pineda will outline analytical methods such as electron microscopy and molecular spectroscopy to distinguish rCB from conventional carbon black, which differs in composition and thermal history.
Continental will also address environmental impacts associated with tire use. Dr. Frank Schmerwitz will present findings on emissions pathways beyond tire and road wear particles (TRWP), including nanoparticle release, residual material left on road surfaces, and degradation caused by oxygen and ultraviolet exposure.
Another presentation will examine the implications of the Euro 7 emissions regulation for tire development. Dr. Pavel Ignatyev will discuss the complexity of measuring abrasion and meeting new regulatory limits, which introduce standardized testing requirements that could reshape design and engineering processes across the industry.
The Tire Technology Expo, marking its 25th anniversary, will take place from March 3 to 5 in Hanover and is considered one of Europe’s leading forums for tire design and manufacturing. Continental’s programme of presentations reflects broader industry efforts to address automation, environmental sustainability and tightening regulatory standards simultaneously.