Munich, Dingolfing, Leipzig. The BMW Group is systematically advancing the digitalisation and automation of its production processes within the BMW iFACTORY framework. Since 2022, the company has been testing Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW) for new vehicles at its largest European plant in Dingolfing. Following successful CE certification, the pilot project is now transitioning into series operation.
In addition to Dingolfing, Leipzig is also currently being enabled to implement the AFW project in series operation. Other facilities in the BMW Group production network are set to follow in stages.

“Automated Driving In-Plant optimises our production process and delivers significant efficiency gains for our logistics,” explains Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production. “That is why we will be swiftly rolling out this technology throughout our production network.”

In addition to the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series in Dingolfing, this technology is now also being used for the MINI Countryman and other BMW models in Leipzig. In Dingolfing the new vehicles drive fully autonomously – without a driver – along a route of more than one kilometre, from the two assembly halls, through the “short test course”, to the plant’s finishing area. This is made possible by sensors installed along the route – creating the largest LIDAR infrastructure in Europe – and relying on an externally generated environment model and an external movement planner. Regardless of the vehicle's equipment options, this system controls its automated movements, using state-of-the-art cloud architecture. Parts of the technology were provided by the young Swiss company Embotech AG, which the BMW Group already cooperated with in the early stages through its venture client unit, the BMW START-UP Garage.

Plant Leipzig plans to introduce automated driving for around 90 percent of the BMW and MINI models built there, with Plants Regensburg and Oxford set to follow in 2025. The new site in Debrecen, Hungary, will also implement this technology from the official launch of series production.

Going forward, the BMW Group plans to expand its use of Automated Driving In-Plant to other areas of production, such as for driving through the testing zone and in outdoor distribution areas. Production and development experts are also working closely together to refine the technology in-house. Another key factor in expanding the technology is the increasing use of on-board technology, which will support the external sensors in the long term.

“Over the next ten years, we will log several million test kilometres with Automated Driving In-Plant in our production network alone,” says Nedeljković. “In this way, the BMW Group is once again setting a new benchmark for automation and digitalisation of its production processes – while paving the way for future applications in the field of autonomous driving.”

Munich. BMW is the first carmaker in the world to receive approval for a combination of a Level 2 driving assistance system (the BMW Highway Assistant) and a Level 3 system in the form of the BMW Personal Pilot L3 in the same vehicle. The new BMW 7 Series therefore sets a milestone in the field of automated driving by offering a unique opportunity to enjoy the benefits of both systems in the same car.

BMW Highway Assistant (Level 2): greater comfort on long journeys.
This advanced Level 2 feature enhances comfort significantly on long-distance journeys especially thanks to its ability to operate at speeds up to 130 km/h (81 mph). The BMW Highway Assistant is an additional function of the Steering and Lane Control Assistant that can be used on motorways with structurally separated carriageways. On such stretches of road, the driver is able to take their hands off the steering wheel for longer periods and position them comfortably, provided they continue to pay attention to what is happening on the road and are able to take over the steering again at any time.

While driving in partially automated mode, the BMW 7 Series Sedan is also able to make lane changes without the driver having to take hold of the steering wheel again. This is made possible by the Active Lane Change Assistant, which performs the necessary steering movements for the overtaking manoeuvre and adjusts the vehicle’s speed as required as soon as the traffic situation permits. Plus, the driver is able to initiate a lane change suggested by this system by simply looking in the exterior mirror to confirm it.

BMW Personal Pilot (Level 3): allowing other in-car activities in traffic jams.
Highly automated Level 3 driving means drivers can take their hands off the steering wheel and temporarily turn their attention away from the road. The BMW Personal Pilot L3 feature in the 7 Series offers a whole new driving experience by enabling drivers to fully delegate the task of driving to their car under certain conditions at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph) and look away from the road. Highly automated systems are capable of completely taking over the driving in specific situations, e.g. in traffic jams on the motorway. This even lets drivers carry out other in-car activities, such as making phone calls, reading, writing messages, working or streaming videos. However, the driver must always be prepared to reassume control within a few seconds when prompted by the car, for example when there are roadworks.

The combination of all these driving assistance systems within a single vehicle represents a significant advance and offers a comprehensive set of functionalities for a more comfortable, more relaxing drive over both long and short journeys. “We are setting new standards in the automotive industry by combining both technologies in the new BMW 7 Series,” says Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Driving Experience BMW Group. “In the process, we are underlining our commitment to offering our customers a safe, comfortable and innovative driving experience.”

The BMW Highway Assistant and Driving Assistant Professional are both part of the optional BMW Personal Pilot L3, which is available exclusively in Germany priced at € 6,000 (incl. VAT). Drivers of cars equipped with the optional BMW Personal Pilot L3 that have already been delivered will be able to add the BMW Highway Assistant to its range of functions free of charge from 08/24.