Introducing the Self Driving BMW 7 Series
BMW is really changing things up with the new 7 Series, bringing some serious self-driving tech to the table. It’s not just a small upgrade; it feels like a big leap forward in how we think about cars.
BMW Personal Pilot L3: A New Era of Automation
This new system, called BMW Personal Pilot L3, is pretty neat. It lets the car handle most of the driving when you’re on certain roads, like highways. Basically, you can take your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road for a bit, which is a huge deal. It’s designed to manage the car’s speed, keep it in its lane, and maintain a safe distance from other cars. You can order this for the 7 Series starting in December, with cars being fitted from March next year. It’s going to be available in Germany first, costing about 6,000 euros.
Level 3 Capabilities Redefine Driving
So, what does Level 3 actually mean? It’s a step up from what most cars do now. With Level 3, the car is responsible for driving under specific conditions, like on motorways with a barrier separating traffic, and only up to speeds of 60 km/h (about 37 mph). This means you can actually do other things inside the car, like check emails or take a call, without worrying about steering or watching the road constantly. It even works in the dark, which is pretty impressive.
Hands-Off Driving on German Motorways
Right now, this hands-off capability is limited to German motorways. It’s a pretty specific setup, but it’s a start. The system uses a bunch of advanced sensors, including lidar, radar, and ultrasonic ones, to get a really clear picture of what’s going on around the car. Combined with super-accurate maps and 5G connection, it knows exactly where it is and what’s happening. It’s a complex setup, but the goal is to make driving less of a chore, especially in traffic jams.
Advanced Technology Underpinning the Self Driving BMW 7 Series
So, what makes this new BMW 7 Series actually drive itself? It’s not just one thing, it’s a whole bunch of tech working together. Think of it like a really smart team where everyone has a specific job.
Sophisticated Sensor Suite for Unmatched Perception
BMW packed this car with a bunch of sensors. These sensors are like the car’s eyes and ears, constantly scanning everything around it. They’ve got cameras, of course, but also radar and ultrasonic sensors. These help the car figure out distances, see other vehicles, and even spot pedestrians or cyclists. It’s pretty impressive how they all work in sync. This setup is designed to work even when it’s dark out, which is a big deal for real-world driving.
Lidar, Radar, and Ultrasonic Sensors in Harmony
To get really precise, they’ve added a 3D lidar sensor. Lidar uses lasers to create a detailed map of the surroundings, kind of like how bats use echolocation. When you combine lidar with radar (which uses radio waves) and ultrasonic sensors (which use sound waves), the car gets a super clear picture of what’s going on. This layered approach means the system is more reliable. It’s this combination that allows the car to understand its environment so well, even in tricky conditions. It’s a level of detail that really sets it apart from other systems out there.
High-Definition Maps and 5G Connectivity
Beyond the sensors, the car relies on super-detailed maps. These aren’t your average GPS maps; they’re high-definition and updated constantly. Think of them as a perfect digital twin of the road. The car uses these maps along with its sensor data to know exactly where it is. Plus, with 5G connectivity, the car can talk to BMW’s cloud for even more up-to-date information. This constant stream of data helps the car make better decisions. It’s all part of making sure the car knows what’s happening, not just right now, but also what’s coming up ahead. You can find out more about BMW’s vision for the future of driving on their vision vehicle page.
Distinguishing Level 2 from Level 3 in the BMW 7 Series
BMW Highway Assistant: A Level 2 Precursor
BMW has been working on driver assistance for a while now. You might have heard about the BMW Highway Assistant, which is a Level 2 system. It’s pretty neat, letting you take your hands off the wheel for a bit on the highway, up to about 81 mph. It handles the speed, distance to the car in front, and keeps you in your lane. Think of it as a really advanced cruise control that also steers. It’s great for making long drives a little less tiring, letting you relax your grip on the wheel. But, and this is a big but, you still have to pay attention to the road. The driver is always responsible when using Level 2 systems.
The Crucial Shift in Driver Responsibility
This is where Level 3, like what you find in the new 7 Series with BMW Personal Pilot L3, really changes things. With Level 3, the car can actually take over the entire driving task in certain situations, like on motorways at speeds up to 37 mph. This means you can actually take your eyes off the road for a bit. You could, for example, check your email or take a phone call. The system is designed to handle the speed, distance, and lane positioning all by itself. It’s a big step up from Level 2 because the responsibility shifts. The car is driving, not you, but only under specific conditions. You still need to be ready to take back control when the system tells you to, or when the road conditions change.
Attentiveness Monitoring for Enhanced Safety
So, how does BMW make sure you’re ready to take over when needed? For Level 2 systems like the Highway Assistant, there’s a camera that watches you. It checks if you’re paying attention to the road. If you’re not, it’ll give you a warning. With Level 3, it’s a bit different. While the car is driving, you can do other things, but you still need to be ready to jump back in. The system will give you clear signals, both visual and sound, when it’s time to take the wheel again. If you don’t respond to these prompts, the car will safely bring itself to a stop. It’s all about making sure safety is maintained, even when the car is doing most of the work.
Experience Unprecedented Comfort with the Self Driving BMW 7 Series
Redefining In-Car Activities During Commutes
Imagine this: you’re stuck in traffic on the Autobahn, inching along at 60 kilometers per hour. Instead of staring at the bumper ahead, you can actually get things done. The new BMW 7 Series, with its Level 3 Personal Pilot, lets you do just that. It’s like having a chauffeur, but it’s your car. This system handles the driving, so you don’t have to. You can finally use your commute time for something productive, or just relax.
Emailing, Calls, and Entertainment on the Go
So, what exactly can you do when the car is driving itself? Well, at speeds up to 60 km/h on motorways, you’re free to focus on other things. Need to answer some emails? Go ahead. Have an important phone call? Take it. You can even catch up on your favorite shows or stream videos on the central display. It really changes how you think about spending time in the car, especially during those slow-moving highway stretches. It’s pretty neat, honestly.
Optimizing Time in Congested Traffic
Let’s be real, nobody enjoys being stuck in traffic jams. But with the BMW 7 Series’ advanced driving system, those frustrating hours can become more useful. The car manages speed, distance, and lane keeping, allowing you to shift your attention. This means you can prepare for your next meeting, catch up on personal messages, or simply unwind. It’s a smart way to make the most of unavoidable delays. The system is designed to work even when it’s dark, thanks to its advanced sensors, which is a big plus for nighttime driving.
Seamless Activation and Control of Automated Driving
Intuitive Activation via Steering Wheel Button
Getting the BMW 7 Series into its self-driving mode is pretty straightforward. You don’t need to dig through menus or fiddle with complicated settings. A dedicated button right on the steering wheel is your gateway to automated driving. Just a simple press, and the system is ready to take over when conditions are right. It’s designed to be right there when you need it, making the transition from manual to automated driving feel natural.
Clear Visual Indicators for System Status
Knowing what the car is doing is important, right? The BMW 7 Series makes this easy with clear visual cues. When the automated driving system is active, you’ll see specific symbols light up on the display behind the steering wheel. These aren’t just random lights; they tell you exactly what the system is handling – like speed, steering, and distance to the car in front. It’s all about keeping you informed without being distracting. You’ll also get alerts when the system is available and when it’s time for you to take the wheel back.
Controlled Standstill in Case of Non-Compliance
Safety is obviously a big deal here. If the system needs you to take back control – maybe because the road conditions change or the automated stretch is ending – it will let you know. You’ll get both visual and audible warnings. But what if, for some reason, you don’t respond? The car is programmed to handle that situation safely. Instead of a sudden stop, it will bring itself to a controlled standstill. This ensures that even if the driver isn’t attentive, the vehicle can still manage itself in a way that minimizes risk.
BMW Leads with Dual Automated Driving Options
Offering Both Level 2 and Level 3 Systems
BMW is really stepping up its game when it comes to letting the car do more of the driving. They’re not just jumping on the self-driving bandwagon with one option; they’re actually offering two distinct levels of automated driving across their lineup. This means you can pick what works best for you, whether you want a little help or a lot. It’s pretty neat how they’re giving drivers choices.
Innovation Across the BMW Model Range
It’s not just the fancy 7 Series getting all the attention. BMW is putting these advanced driving aids into other models too, like the new 5 Series. The 5 Series, for instance, comes with what they call the BMW Highway Assistant. This is a Level 2 system, which is a step up from what most cars offer. You can take your hands off the wheel for a bit, but you still have to keep your eyes on the road. It’s great for long drives, making things a bit more relaxed. They even have a cool feature that checks if you’re actually looking ahead using a camera. If you’re not paying attention, it’ll let you know.
Commitment to Driving Comfort and Safety
What’s really different between Level 2 and Level 3, like what’s coming in the 7 Series, is who’s in charge. With Level 2, you, the driver, are still ultimately responsible. You have to be ready to grab the wheel at any second. But with Level 3, the car can handle the driving task completely in certain situations, like slow highway traffic up to about 37 mph. This lets you actually do other things, like answer emails or take a call, without worrying about steering or speed. BMW is making sure that even when the car is driving, your safety is still the top priority. They’ve got systems in place to monitor you, and if you don’t take back control when the car needs you to, it’ll safely stop itself. It’s a big shift, and BMW seems to be handling it thoughtfully.
The Road Ahead is Here
So, the new BMW 7 Series is really changing things up with its self-driving tech. It’s pretty wild to think you can actually take your hands off the wheel and do other stuff, like answer emails or even watch a video, when you’re stuck in traffic. This Level 3 system, called BMW Personal Pilot L3, works even when it’s dark, which is a big deal. It uses all sorts of sensors, like lidar, radar, and cameras, to keep track of everything. It’s not like you can just zone out completely, you still need to be ready to take over, but it definitely makes those slow drives a lot less stressful. It’s a big step for BMW, offering this kind of advanced driving help, and it really feels like a peek into what cars will be like in the future.
