- BMW iX3 ‘Neue Klasse’ receives approval for assistance systems
- Regulation will speed up rollout of autonomous driving tech
- The iX3 allows for “hands-off” driving at motorway speeds and in cities
BMW has become the first manufacturer to receive approval from the recently established UN Regulation No. 171 for Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS), allowing the company to offer its Motorway Assistant with Level 2 “hands-off” driving to more countries and markets.
Up until this point, Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority has made several exemptions for the country’s largest automakers to offer advanced levels of autonomous driving on public roads, with both Mercedes-Benz and BMW legally allowed to offer Level 3 “hands-off/eyes-off” in very strict driving scenarios.
However, the confusing patchwork of legal frameworks that exist in other European countries means the technology has predominantly been limited to Germany for now.
This is all about to change, as BMW’s upcoming and potentially ground-breaking ‘Neue Klasse’ iX3 adheres to the DCAS international legal framework for the safe and reliable operation of Level 2 Motorway Assistant.
When activated, the technology allows drivers to take their hands off steering duties permanently (without the nannying reminders to hold the wheel) at speeds of up to 130km/h (80mph).
BMW’s system will then remain at a set speed when safe, or speed up and slow down when necessary. It constantly monitors traffic for hazards, meaning the driver has to be ready to take over when required, but it will essentially take care of monotonous highway driving duties when activated.
What’s more, the system will even automatically change lanes, with the company claiming its BMW Maps route guidance can suggest a lane change in good time at motorway junctions and exits, which can be confirmed with a glance in the wing mirror by the driver.
When navigating the busy city streets, BMW says the tech will stop at red lights and drive off again automatically, while it plans to roll out more features after market launch via over-the-air updates.
This is all aided by BMW’s latest iteration of the iDrive infotainment system, which sees a full-width head-up display span the windscreen, with dedicated widgets for autonomous driving modes.
More autonomous driving features coming to Europe
Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, senior vice president of driving experience development at BMW, says that the latest UN regulation allows the company to launch Level 2 autonomous driving functionality in “many more” countries than was previously possible.
Adding that it also paves the way for further innovative systems to follow. “We are creating a perfect interplay between rule-based algorithms and artificial intelligence. The driver remains involved, our systems are controllable at all times, and their behavior is reproducible,” he explains.
While Level 2 autonomous driving might feel like a backwards step, given that some of Germany’s most famous automakers have already touted Level 3 systems and Tesla continues to claim its Full Self-Driving technology is more capable than it really is, the latest UN regulation makes it easier for automakers to legally roll out its technology in many more European and other ECE countries.
It also means that we could see more advanced “eyes-off” systems (without the Tesla-style caveats) rolling out next year, as the UN Regulation No. 171 for DCAS makes it easier for automakers to have their technology signed off and backed by law.
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