According to the company, BMW car owners have driven more than 200 million km with the driver assistance system engaged. This figure is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years as the new generation of technology becomes available in more markets.
The system's geography is expanding rapidly
The previous version of the Highway Assistant was available only in Germany, the USA, and Canada. However, the new system, which debuted on the BMW iX3 electric crossover from the Neue Klasse family, is now supported in more than 20 European countries.
In addition to Germany, the technology is operational in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Later, the list is expected to include the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and other countries in Northern, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe.
Currently, the system complies with the SAE Level 2 standard. This means that the car can independently perform some driving tasks, but responsibility for road safety remains with the driver.
The traffic light will be seen, but distraction from the road will not be allowed
Along with the Highway Assistant, the City Assistant system works. It recognizes traffic lights, automatically stops the vehicle at a red light, and resumes driving when green appears.
At the same time, BMW has enhanced driver attention monitoring. In the new iX3, the monitoring camera is positioned under the rearview mirror, providing a broader field of view compared to the previous design. If the system detects that the driver is not watching the road for too long, the hands-free driving function will be disabled or not activated at all.
Interestingly, the necessary equipment is installed on all iX3 models regardless of configuration. The expanded capabilities can be activated after purchasing the car through the BMW online store.
BMW abandoned third-level autopilot
Previously, the company offered the Personal Pilot L3 system on the pre-facelifted BMW 7 Series. It met the third level of autonomy, but the project did not progress further.
BMW explains this by the high cost of the technology and limited demand among buyers. Instead, the manufacturer decided to focus on developing the Symbiotic Drive Level 2 complex.
The first models with the new system will be the BMW iX3, the future i3, as well as the BMW 7 Series and i7. The technology is also expected to be featured in the new generation BMW X5 G65, which is scheduled to debut this year. Later, the system will likely appear on the updated BMW 5 Series and the next BMW X7.
The driver remains key
Despite the development of assistance systems, BMW does not aim to completely eliminate humans from the driving process. The company emphasizes that the main focus is on safe interaction between the driver and electronics.
Even when assistants are active, the driver can independently accelerate, brake, or adjust the driving trajectory without immediately disconnecting the system. Thus, BMW is betting not on maximum automation at any cost, but on auxiliary technologies that keep the driver as the key element in vehicle control.
