Continental as a company now prioritizes open source software and has adopted a manifesto that highlights its dedication to working with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) collaboratively. Open source software has its source code open and accessible, allowing users to use, analyze, modify, and distribute it under the respective license. Open source can reduce development costs, provide security, and transparency for users as weaknesses and security gaps can be quickly identified and addressed through collaboration.
Continental is committed to including FOSS in its business operations, being a trustworthy contributor to open source communities, and putting customer and employee satisfaction at the center of its commitment. The 20,000 Continental specialists working with FOSS, including AI experts, actively contribute to FOSS organizations, exchanging know-how and benefiting from the offered software packages. The company is a member of various organizations such as Eclipse Foundation, Linux Foundation, and GAIA-X, where it participates in open source software developments. The FOSS manifesto reinforces Continental’s commitment to shaping the future of mobility with open source. The company, established in 1871, offers innovative and sustainable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic, and transportation, generating €33.8 billion in sales in 2021 and employing over 190,000 people globally.
Continental has been working with open source software for some time. The “Continental Automotive FOSS Manifesto” now underlines the growing importance of open source software for the automotive industry. “Open source software is essential for shaping tomorrow’s mobility,” explains Gilles Mabire, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Automotive at Continental. “Future-oriented companies rely on cooperation in the development of basic software modules. Continental is an active member of the global automotive community working on critical open software projects. This is the only way we will be able to master the major technological challenges for sustainable and modern mobility together.“
