PressClub Global · Article.
BMW Group rolls out biggest Remote Software Upgrade in company history.
16.10.2020 Press Release
Free BMW Operating System 7 update delivers enhancements and attractive new functions for more than 750,000 vehicles worldwide over-the-air.
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BMW Group
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Mathias Urban
BMW Group
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Munich. BMW is once again underlining its leading role in digitalisation with the new Remote Software Upgrade. With the biggest and most extensive upgrade in the premium manufacturer’s history so far, more than 750,000 vehicles worldwide will receive the latest version of BMW Operating System 7 (version 07/20). It is also the largest over-the-air update ever rolled out by a European manufacturer. The upgrade includes new, expanded and enhanced functions, such as BMW Maps, Google Android Auto™ and eDrive Zones. The new software version will be available to customers in Germany from 19 October and can be downloaded to vehicles directly over the air and installed free of charge. Customers will receive a push notification in their vehicle or via BMW App on their smartphone as soon as the upgrade is available. Following launch in the German market, it will be rolled out in stages across Europe, in the US, Canada, China and the remaining international markets.
Overview of new and expanded functions (Video).
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BMW Maps offers an entirely new navigation
experience. The route calculation of the first cloud-based system is
significantly faster and more dynamic by combining real-time
information with forecast models. It also provides additional
contextual information on points of interest, such as ratings,
business opening hours and photos. Destination input has also been
significantly updated and is now easier and more intuitive to
operate – similar to what customers are familiar with from online
search engines. Examples include free text input using one-box
search and autocompletion, which displays suggestions relating to
relevant search words as they are being entered.
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Google Android AutoTM will be available
as a new feature following the upgrade, allowing customers to use
the functions of their smartphone in the car via a wireless
connection. The customer can use Google Assistant or touch operation
to access their apps without having to operate their smartphone
directly. Google MapsTM also shows navigation guidance in
the Info Display and Head-up Display.
- With this functional enhancement, the Apple Maps navigation
information provided via Apple CarPlay® now
includes turn-by-turn directions and lane information, which is
displayed directly in the Head-up Display and in the Info
Display.
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Connected Parking provides a variety of services to
help find a parking space upon arrival. On-street Parking
Information not only shows the driver where parking can be found,
but also calculates the probability that a parking space will be
free from available fleet data, for instance. The service now also
considers the size of the vehicle model and compares it with the
parking situation at the destination.
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eDrive Zones is a new digital service – the only
one of its kind worldwide – that helps customers drive their BMW
plug-in hybrid[1] in a more environmentally conscious manner. By
means of geofencing, the vehicle automatically switches to pure
electric drive mode when entering a green zone. eDrive zones have
already been established in over 90 European cities.
- The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant has a new
and more emotional appearance, can distinguish whether the driver or
passenger is speaking and orientates itself towards the person it is
talking to. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant also provides
more proactive assistance with possible voice commands and
suggestions are displayed in the redesigned widget. The virtual
character has also been expanded to include new voice commands – for
example, for operating electric windows, switching drive modes
(between COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO) or asking for tips on how to
drive more efficiently.
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Connected charging makes mobility more sustainable
and innovative. The display indicating where public charging posts
are located has been expanded to include additional details, such as
opening hours, providers or authentication options, and availability
can be viewed immediately. Points of interest, such as cafés or
restaurants in the vicinity of the charging post, are also
listed.
- The Smart Opener function for the tailgate can now be individually configured or, if preferred, completely deactivated.
Remote Software Upgrade and rollout.
Since BMW Operating System 7 was introduced in 2018, BMW drivers have been able to keep their vehicle up to date with the latest software by means of the Remote Software Upgrade. The new functions can be downloaded quickly and conveniently to the car over-the-air. Installation files are prepared in the vehicle in the background; once this is complete, it rarely takes more than 20 minutes for actual installation, even in the case of major upgrades.
Due to the situation with the coronavirus and its impact on availability of support capacity, rollout of the current upgrade may be delayed in individual markets. It is also important to remember that availability of individual services and enhancements may vary, depending on vehicle equipment options and the region. Vehicles with BMW Operating System 7 produced from July 2020 on already come with the latest version, including all additional functions. Customers can view the software version and check for available upgrades in the vehicle settings under Remote Software Upgrade. Remote Software Upgrade is now available for over 20 BMW models and thus for almost the entire BMW fleet.
Instructions and valuable tips on multimedia functions and connectivity can be found in the corresponding BMW How-To Channel.
[1] Vehicles require BMW Live Cockpit Professional and BMW Operating System 7.