BMW has unveiled two prototypes – a 2 Series Coupe and a 6 Series Gran Coupe – that can drive themselves. It’s a development of the Bavarian’s ConnectedDrive Connect (CDC) technology with the cars featuring an ActiveAssist system designed to “bring the vision of accident-free mobility another step closer to reality.”
Autonmous driving is, of course something BMW have been working on and last year we saw a CDC clip of two engineers sitting in a 5 Series that navigated its way around public roads. The system is based on pre-mapped roads where the car uses GPS location and sensors in conjunction with controlled braking and acceleration (basically and advanced cruise control)
This latest addition to the system adds “direction-changing decision making” to the mix that automatically “brings the vehicle back into line in demanding driving situations without any input from the driver.”
“Systems actively intervene in the direction-changing decision-making process and ensure the electronically controlled steering works in perfect harmony with the brakes and accelerator,” says BMW.
If you’re worried all of this might blunt the marque’s famed dynamic driving characteristics, it would appear they have this base covered. According to BMW, the prototypes “make optimum use of the potential of both engine and chassis” – even when provoked to oversteer.
The new features allow the two prototypes to not only make obstacle-evading lane changes, but perform high speed slalom runs with “exceptional precision”. With it’s sensors and computing power, the cars constantly factor in a variety of conditions and applies calculated steering inputs to mimic an “expert driver.”
“Only a system that can safely master all dynamic situations – up to the vehicle’s dynamic limit – will be able to generate trust and provide sustained and secure relief for the driver in tiring situations,” says BMW.