BMW is enhancing its driver assistance systems with the "Motorway Assistant" for the new BMW iX3, which will be available in multiple European countries following the company receiving approval in accordance with UN Regulation No. 171 for driver control assistance systems (DCAS), according to an Oct. 30 press release.

The regulation provides a framework focusing on customer safety for Level 2 driver assistance systems. The Motorway Assistant allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel at speeds up to 130 km/h while maintaining attentiveness. It aids vehicle guidance and enables automatic lane changes confirmed by a glance. Additionally, it integrates active BMW Maps route guidance to suggest lane changes before exits.

BMW's new generation of the Motorway Assistant, awarded in the "Comfort assistance systems" category by the German magazine "auto motor und sport", also includes functions for urban driving, such as stopping at red lights. These features will be available via over-the-air updates. Previously, BMW had limited approval from Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority for the system, but the new DCAS approval allows for broader deployment across Europe and other ECE countries, the release said.

The "Neue Klasse" vehicles, which include the new BMW iX3, will feature BMW Symbiotic Drive, a system designed to enhance collaboration between the driver and the vehicle. It includes symbiotic steering and, for the first time globally, symbiotic brakes.

Drivers can influence the system while it remains active without deactivating driver assistance, as the system adapts to individual inputs. This innovation is supported by numerous BMW Group patent applications resulting from their development efforts. The Highway & City Assistant will initially launch in Germany, with additional functionalities and countries to be added later, according to the release.

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