Page Overview: BMW Group - Innovation - Technology and Mobility

Technologies and Mobility

Technology and mobility: Innovations that move people.

Ever since the company was founded, innovation has been one of the main success factors for the BMW Group. In the field of technologies and mobility, in particular, they are able to realise their full potential and show how they can contribute to mobility and progress in all different areas.

Innovation for mobility: major topics and driving forces.

Interior of a BMW that is parking itself.

Automatic car-park parking.

For fully-automated parking in a multi-storey car-park, four laser scanners scan all the areas around the vehicle and generate an accurate image of the surroundings. The fully-automated Remote Valet Parking Assistant links this information with a digital plan of the car-park and is then able to use this data to drive the BMW i3 – independently, dynamically and safely – to an empty space and park it.

Diagram showing how easy parking function works.

Convenient urban parking solutions.

The BMW Group is demonstrating the benefits of vehicle connectivity with intelligent solutions. An important cluster of topics is Connected Navigation. The new research project “Dynamic Parking Forecast” relies on movement data from vehicle fleets, this application makes it easier to find a roadside parking space and effectively reduces the volume of traffic looking for a space to park in – especially in urban areas.

The BMW 330e with BMW eDrive technology.

BMW eDrive technology.

With the innovative BMW eDrive technology in the new BMW 225xe and the new BMW 330e, BMW is once again underlining its leading role in power train electrification in the premium segment. BMW eDrive technology uses state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid components and makes a significant contribution to lower fuel consumption and emissions. BMW eDrive is one of the newest components of the ground-breaking BMW EfficientDynamics programme.

Technology and mobility: current developments.

With its sights set firmly on the future, the BMW Group pioneers technological mobility solutions, working to future driving pleasure.

Digital companion now available for smartphone.

With BMW Connected, the BMW Group is focusing more than ever on individual mobility needs and providing access to a highly personal world of intelligent connected digital services. By linking context-sensitive mobility information with the latest traffic data, for example, the user receives proactive notification of the best time to set out.
The next step towards energy independence.
The next step towards energy independence.

A stationary energy storage unit comprising used BMW i3 batteries enables users to offset consumption peaks and become less dependent on external energy sources. The system is the first of its kind and not only offers batteries an ideal second life, but also boosts household energy efficiency – for example, by calculating optimum charging times and saving electricity costs.

The network goes mobile.

In collaboration with its partners peiker and Nash Technologies, the BMW Group has developed the “Vehicular CrowdCell”. This uses mobile femtocells in cars to increase the capacity and coverage of the local mobile network. It is designed primarily for use in electric car-sharing fleets, whose high density in cities could soon make dead spots a thing of the past.
Innovative services pave the way for car-sharing 2.0.

With its “ReachNow” brand, the BMW Group is piloting the next phase in the development of its DriveNow car-sharing model in the US. American customers will be able to choose from a range of innovative services in the future:

  • Vehicle drop-off
  • Long-term usage
  • Car-sharing for closed user groups
  • Renting out own car
  • Chauffeur service – reserve a car with driver
BMW Labs: Own IFTTT solutions simplify everyday living.

The BMW Labs portal enables the BMW Group to test new ConnectedDrive services with customers during the development stage and obtain their active input. Integration of IFTTT services into BMW vehicles enables users to connect more than 260 services to their car, including messaging and cloud services, but also smart-home functions – for example, automatically switching on outdoor lights when the car approaches the house.

Topics that drive us.

Automated driving on a speedway

Autonomous driving.

BMW Group engineers are already working today on the mobility of tomorrow. One aspect is the trend towards autonomous driving. Despite the technical challenges, this field offers a wide range of opportunities for customers with regard to comfort, safety and efficiency. The BMW Group is already integrating exciting and innovative possibilities for automated driving in its new models.

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Screen of the BMW Connected App.

Connectivity.

Thanks to the innovation of BMW Group engineers, rapid advancements have been made in connecting the vehicle with its surroundings and other traffic. Customers can use innovative functions connecting drivers, cars and their surroundings through unique BMW ConnectedDrive services and apps.

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A BMW with a charging cable standing at a ChargeNow charging station.

Efficiency and electro-mobility.

Sustainability has defined the thinking and actions of the BMW Group since the early 1970s. Since then, the company has optimised countless production processes and developed innovative technologies. Key topics are efficiency and electro-mobility.

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BMW concept vehicle standing in the desert.

Concepts.

The success of the BMW Group is based on innovative premium products. The driving force behind these products is the people who work together to design and realise exciting and innovative concepts and create new solutions.

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Creating a design sketch of a BMW interior.

Design.

Creating innovative experiences, aesthetic appeal and elegance or providing visual clues are just some of the areas where design contributes to innovation. This not only creates an unmistakeable look, but also reflects the company’s pioneering role.

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A MINI Cooper S Clubman standing alongside a harbour.

Models.

Our brands’ models are the heart of the BMW Group and many of its innovations. This is where the technologies of the future get to show what they can do faced with everyday challenges.

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Several BMW i3s standing behind each other.

Mobility services.

The BMW Group not only demonstrates its technological and innovation leadership through its vehicles. It also sets the highest standards for quality, dynamic performance and technology in the area of mobility services.

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Tailor-made services based on telematics data

CarData.

BMW and MINI CarData enable service providers to offer tailor-made services based on telematics data from the vehicle. Data protection and transparency regarding the use of data have the highest priority.

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