BMW Announces Level Three Hands-Free Driving for 7 Series in Germany
Introduction
BMW has revealed plans to introduce level three hands-free driving in its 7 Series saloon in Germany. This optional feature, priced at €6000 (£5245), will be available from March 2024. It allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel and divert their attention away from the road, making it distinct from Ford’s BlueCruise system. BMW’s hands-free driving works at speeds up to 60kph (37mph) on motorways with separate carriageways, and it is the only system capable of operating in the dark.
Features and Capabilities
Once activated, BMW drivers will have the ability to stream videos on the car’s central screen and edit emails while on the move. This level three autonomy will be available in the UK next year for the new 5 Series range, the BMW i7 electric saloon, and the iX electric SUV.
Difference Between Level Two and Level Three Autonomous Driving
BMW is taking advantage of new UK regulations that allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel as long as they remain attentive to the road. This falls under the category of level two-plus autonomy, which includes Ford’s BlueCruise system. The main distinction between level two and level three is that level two requires the driver to constantly monitor the road, while level three allows the driver to divert their attention away from the road ahead.
BMW’s Level Two-Plus “Motorway Assistant” System
The level two-plus autonomy feature, known as “Motorway Assistant,” will be part of BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional package. It will be available in the new 5 Series with the Tech Pack Plus, which includes adaptive cruise control and lane centring. The system is set to launch in the UK in 2024, with the pricing model yet to be determined. BMW is considering a monthly subscription or a one-time fee at purchase. The higher cost of the system covers the licensing fee for high-definition mapping, which improves the car’s location accuracy.
Future Plans and Expansion
BMW plans to expand its autonomy capabilities to include “address-to-address” functionality on its Neue Klasse EVs, starting from 2025. Additionally, Porsche is expected to offer level two-plus hands-off, eyes-on driving in its electric Macan, which will be equipped with the Supervision package supplied by Intel-owned Mobileye.
Additional reporting by Murray Scullion