BMW 5 Series: Semi-automated driving up to 130 km/h on German roads

Great success for the BMW development team led by project manager Andreas Holzinger: (partially) automated driving takes another step forward. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has now granted BMW the corresponding exemptions. This allows customers in the new 5 Series to use the new BMW Highway Assistant. It enables drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel and rest them in a comfortable position while driving. The BMW Highway Assistant, which is being offered for the first time, is also complemented by a world first: the active lane change assistant with glance confirmation.

After many tests, BMW is more than satisfied

After conducting their own tests, BMW also handed over suitably equipped vehicles to the authorities, who were able to convince themselves of the system's functionality. With its decisions, the KBA is now officially confirming the reliable functionality of both the highway assistant and the active lane change assistant in the new BMW 5 Series sedan. The BMW Highway Assistant, which takes over steering tasks in addition to speed and distance control when driving at up to 130 km/h, is already available in the USA and Canada. There, it can be used, among other things, in the BMW 7 Series. In Germany, the new BMW 5 Series sedan is the first vehicle to enable this particularly intensive experience of partially automated driving.

The highway assistant can be used as an additional function of the steering and lane guidance assistant on highways with "structurally separated directional lanes" - this is the official term for mostly four-lane expressways and highways. Its availability is indicated to the customer on the information display. On appropriately designated routes, the driver can also take their hands off the steering wheel for an extended period and position them comfortably. However, they must continuously monitor the traffic situation and always be ready to take over steering again. This is continuously monitored by an intelligent attention camera. And it cannot be fooled, as project manager Andreas Holzinger knows from personal experience: Even with most sunglasses, the camera can still detect where the driver is looking.

Lane Change? One Look Is Enough!

A lane change also works without the driver having to grab the steering wheel again. The active lane change assistant can be used in the speed range from 60 km/h to 180 km/h: If the traffic situation allows, it carries out the steering movements and speed adjustments necessary for an overtaking maneuver, for example. The system can also actively offer lane changes – for instance, when approaching a much slower vehicle. The cameras then check the area behind the car and offer a lane change if there is enough space. To confirm, a glance by the driver in the side mirror is now sufficient. Confirmation of the lane change process with the turn signal is no longer necessary but remains possible.

“Nothing is free”: Complex Hardware and Software in the Background

The basis for this includes a new software stack, a powerful computing platform, and a connection to the BMW Cloud via the 5G mobile standard. The technology kit also includes cameras, ultrasonic, and radar sensors of the latest generation. A live HD map with exact route layouts, which is constantly compared with a highly precise GPS location, and a 360° sensor system lead to precise position determination and environmental monitoring. Regular remote software updates ensure that both the functional software and the live HD map are always kept up to date.

What Does It Mean?

The new 5 Series truly takes semi-autonomous driving to a new level. However, in the hectic pace of German autobahn driving, it's somewhat like casting pearls before swine: Because if you want to pull out from behind a truck, but another 5 Series is approaching at 193 km/h (as fast as the i5 can go), the system will not offer a lane change. It is ideal for Switzerland or the Netherlands, where there are lower differential speeds. But it is not approved there either. Here, a speed limit in Germany would help a lot…