BMW Developing Chauffeur-Inspired, Highway Self-Driving Technology
BMW’s vision for the future of mobility is an exciting one. Bloomberg reports that the German automaker is developing a technology that will allow drivers to work, watch TV, and even check social media as their car drives itself down the highway.
That may sound like science fiction, but BMW aims to roll out this type of technology in four to five years.
“We’re working on a concept car that’ll allow a chauffeur experience on the highway,” Werner Huber, who heads BMW’s research group on driver-assistance systems, said in an interview at the Geneva International Motor Show. “The idea is that the driver’s attention can be elsewhere, such as using the car’s displays to write emails.”
The advancement of autonomous vehicle technology is one the auto industry is taking very seriously, and the benefits Huber mentions would go beyond the technology currently available. As it stands, advanced features like adaptive cruise control require drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel. This new tech would not only free driver’s hands but also their attention, allowing them to focus on other tasks during their highway commute.
According to Huber, we can expect this technology to feature in the BMW 7 Series sedan, which is due for its next major overhaul in 2022. It’s important to note however, that while such a feature would allow drivers to tune out for a time, there are limits.
“It’s going to be hands-free driving,” but there won’t yet be seats that swivel away from the road, said Huber. “That’s further in the future.”
The next 10 years will bring about more change in the automotive industry than the last 30. This transformation can be divided into two main elements: vehicle electrification and autonomous driving. While BMW is actively addressing the former with models like the i3 and i8 (pictured), it’s now focusing more and more on the latter.
In addition to unmatched driving dynamics, BMW is and continues to be a leader when it comes to advanced driver technologies. We’re excited to see what the future brings and encourage our readers to come along for the ride.
Of course, if you’d rather not wait years to purchase your new BMW (and we don’t blame you), we invite you to contact or visit us at BMW of Silver Spring to explore and test-drive our large selection of new and pre-owned BMW models.
Image: BMW