BMW Targets Fully Autonomous Car by 2021

Pulling ahead of the competition in self-driving technology

BMW has announced that it will have a Level 5 fully automated car by the year 2021. With Level 3 and Level 4 capabilities more on par with the rest of the industry, this bold move would put BMW at the forefront of the self-driving movement.

No input from the driver

Elmar Frickenstein, BMW SVP of Autonomous Driving, made the announcement during a panel in Berlin that the company would have a vehicle with Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5 capabilities. That means the vehicle will ultimately require no input at all from the driver in order to navigate city and highway roads as effectively as a human driver.

Moving ahead of competitors

Most automakers are currently planning for Level 3 and Level 4 vehicles. Level 3 capability still requires input from the driver in certain conditions, but the driver does not need to be watching constantly or ready to take over at any time, as with lower levels. Level 4, the first level of full autonomy, means that no input is needed except in certain conditions and environments. Ford, for example, is planning a fleet of vehicles with Level 4 capabilities by 2021. 

Partnering with Intel and Mobileye

BMW’s ambitious plans come with substantial support. BMW is working with computer giant Intel and Intel’s newly acquired subsidiary, Mobileye. A leader in computer vision for autonomous driving technology, Mobileye’s expertise is far-ranging. Mobileye covers sensor fusion, mapping, front- and rear-facing camera tech and, beginning in 2018, crowdsourcing data for high-definition maps. Mobileye is also working on developing the driving policy intelligence underlying driving decisions.

At BMW of Silver Spring, we are proud to bring you this exciting news. Look for developments on BMW’s progress in self-driving automobiles right here.

Image Credit: BMW engineer, André Mueller does an automated driving technology check​ (BMW)