BMW Group Innovations Day Driver Assistance Systems

1. Introduction: BMW Group Innovation Day 2006. Driver Assistance Systems. 4 2. BMW Group Innovations for Extra Safety and Sheer Driving Pleasure. 8 2.1 The Safe Way to Extra Comfort: Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function and Adaptive Brake Assist. 8 2.2 Maximum Attention on Long Distances: Lane Departure Warning. 11 2.3 Recognising Risks, Driving in Style: Looking Ahead as you Go. 14 2.4 Extra Clarity in Every Direction: Networked Camera Systems. 17 2.5 More Precision for Extra Comfort: Remote Park Assist. 19 2.6 Car2x - Exchanging Data for Extra Safety: Communication between the Vehicle and Traffic Infrastructure. 22 2.7 Greater Diversity, Greater Comfort: Remote Vehicle Management with Integrated Control. 26 2.8 Personal, Anywhere, Anytime: Customised Radio Programme Service while Travelling. 29 3. BMW Group Competence in Research and Development: Scientific Know-How on Man and Machine - the Foundation for Innovative Power. 31 3.1 Reaching the Limit to Reality: The BMW Group's New Dynamic Driving Simulator. . 31 3.2 Taking the Human Being as the Benchmark for New Technologies: The BMW Group Usability Lab. 34 3.3 The Guarantee for Perfect Function: The New Absorber Hall for Verifying Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). 38 3.4 Joint Use of Data for Enhanced Function: Rapid Prototyping of Driver Assistance Systems. 40 3.5 The Key to Flexible Applications within the Car: The BMW CAR IT MMI Rapid Prototyping Platform. 42 3.6 In the Process of Standardising Electronic Architecture in the Car: The BMW Group and the AUTOSAR Development Partnership. 45

More comfort, more performance, more safety. Precisely these are the demands
BMW Group products consistently meet and fulfil at all times - even where the
general conditions for mobility are not always perfect.
Growing traffic density and the consequences thereof such as traffic congestion
and longer travelling times, as well as the greater complexity of many traffic
situations, are making driver assistance systems increasingly attractive and
useful. These systems give the driver helpful information, make it easier for
him to take the necessary decisions, and support him in handling both difficult
and complex traffic situations. Hence, driver assistance systems serve to
ensure superiority at the wheel even under difficult conditions, enhancing both
safety in road traffic and sheer driving pleasure at all times.

Particularly the manufacturers of premium cars play a leading role in
the development of innovative assistance functions. Indeed, outstanding
competence in research and development is the prerequisite for the development
and regular use of "intelligent" driver assistance systems.
At the BMW Group Innovation Day 2006 on driver assistance systems, the BMW
Group presents the latest research and development projects offering benefits
soon to be enjoyed in regular production and in some cases scheduled to enter
production directly in the near future. The event also presents new methods for
developing and testing assistance systems.
And last but certainly not least, the BMW Group conducts thorough basic
research without which specific research projects and the introduction of new
systems implemented in the car would not be possible in the first place, again
presenting such basic research and its results at the Innovation Day.

Development focusing on human needs.

The BMW Group subdivides driver assistance systems into three categories:
stabilising, manoeuvring, and navigating the vehicle.
Systems intervening in the car and its control such as DSC Dynamic Stability
Control or Dynamic Drive sway management serve to stabilise the vehicle.
Systems such as ACC Active Cruise Control or Lane Departure Warning, in turn,
help the driver manoeuvre safely in specific traffic situations. The third
group of systems, finally, offers important information provided, for example,
by the navigation system or the BMW Assist telematics service, as well as
safety-relevant functions such as the automatic emergency call.
In developing all of these systems, each and every step from the original idea
to series production requires a high standard of know-how in technology.
Further essential requirements are the ability to analyse and properly
interpret traffic situations, and to understand the behaviour of motorists and
other
road users.
This is the only way to develop assistance systems precisely tailored to the
specific problems and requirements of road traffic, fully accepted by the
motorist and operating without the slightest effort on the part of the user -
preferably in an intuitive process.
Driver assistance systems meeting the demanding standards of the BMW Group must
therefore not only be highly effective and absolutely reliable, but also
particularly easy to use, highly practical, and fully functional.
All this makes the development of new driver assistance systems an integrated
process of the BMW Group, focusing on the wishes and requirements of the
individual. To ensure that the systems marketed are genuinely reliable and
fully mature, the BMW Group's development specialists use, say, one of the most
advanced driving simulators in the world as well as an Absorber Hall built
specifically for determining the electromagnetic compatibility of
new components and of the entire vehicle in specific, dynamic situations.
A special Usability Lab serves furthermore to provide all the conditions and
prerequisites needed for the development of optimised control concepts.
Using these and other facilities, the BMW Group's research specialists are able
to follow scientific criteria in developing concepts for intuitive operation of
new functions and at the same time test the effects of various information or
warning signals.

The underlying philosophy applied in all cases is to consider which information
the driver is able to "digest" also under difficult conditions - and the
knowledge gained in the process goes straight into series production. So
depending on current conditions, driver assistance systems, whether already
completed or scheduled for completion in future, will deliver optical,
touch-related, or acoustic signals. To arouse attention, for example, the
RoadPreview function informs the driver by means of illuminated graphics on the
Head-Up Display that the road ahead is winding and full of bends. Lane
Departure Warning, in turn, advises the driver to correct the position of the
steering by generating a vibration signal on the steering wheel itself.
Acoustic warnings, finally, are used only for acutely dangerous situations
requiring the driver's full concentration and his quickest possible response.

Rapid development of automotive electronics.

Progress in the area of driver assistance systems is connected closely with
the ongoing development of automotive electronics. The main challenge is to
detect, transfer and process data and information though electronic supervision
and management. Using sensors or camera systems, therefore, the latest
electronic technologies being developed by BMW serve to gather information on
driving conditions or the general scenario around the car. Then, processing
this data, these new systems are able to give the driver information enhancing
his overall perception and increasing his awareness at the wheel. As a result,
the driver becomes even more skilful and competent in handling complex or
potentially dangerous traffic situations.

Highly developed computers and electronic control systems are able,
furthermore, to use such data not only in generating signals and information
for the driver, but also as the foundation for direct commands sent to various
systems and components within the car. DSC Dynamic Stability Control, to
mention just one example, is a particularly well-known and highly appreciated
active system of this kind, which has long proven its qualities in series
production. One typical application is the use of DSC sensors to register any
oversteer or understeer of the car, whenever necessary applying the brakes or
reducing engine output immediately. This optimises the car's stability on the
road before even the driver has recognised the need to take such action.
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go likewise in development supports the
driver in handling less pleasant and more tedious tasks: In this case a control
unit coordinates all ongoing, successive acceleration and brake manoeuvres in
stop-and-go traffic all the way to a complete standstill of the vehicle.
Modern driver assistance systems therefore develop their qualities in all kinds
of situations but in a clearly defined manner. They support the driver whenever
things become difficult, warn him of possible hazards, and relieve him of many
tedious chores.

The driver always remains in control.

The fundamental principle applicable to all functions is that the driver
retains his active role and responsibility, remaining in control of the car and
its functions at all times. And a further point is that generally driver
assistance systems only take effect when activated by the driver.
The driver naturally retains his final decision in the assessment of traffic
situations. Should ACC Active Cruise Control, for example, start to accelerate
the car after a vehicle ahead has moved out of the car's direct lane, the
driver is able to reduce speed again immediately to let another motorist merge
into his own lane.
Consistent application and implementation of these principles always pays off.
And as a result, driver assistance systems developed and introduced in series
production by the BMW Group are acknowledged not only as innovative, but also
as attractive and mature, making a practical and, therefore, much appreciated
contribution to superior motoring at all times.