In the new BMW 5-series sedan, unveiled Wednesday by the German luxury automaker, drivers will be able to change lanes on the highway just by looking to the side.
The car’s optional Highway Assistant system allows drivers to go long distances on major highways without touching the steering wheel or pedals. This sort of feature is now offered by a number of major automakers, but BMW adds this novel capability: Drivers will be able to change lanes just by looking at one of the outside mirrors.
Automated lane changes are possible in many similar systems but, ordinarily, the driver has to request it, or assent to the car’s suggestion for a lane change, by using the turn signal.
BMW graphic
With the new BMW system, if the car’s automated driving system suggests a lane change – say, if the car ahead is going too slowly – the driver only has to look at the corresponding side mirror and the car will do the rest. The system relies on a camera mounted behind the steering to monitor the direction of the driver’s gaze.
The same camera also checks that the driver is watching the road at all times or, if not, warnings will flash inside the car and, eventually, the system will not work. (If the driver seems to be incapacitated, the car will slow to a stop and the hazard lights will come on.)
Inside the partially automated driving experience: New Highway Assistant, unique Active Lane Change Assistant.
A significantly expanded range of systems for partially automated driving and parking is available as standard or as an option for the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. An innovative technology kit creates the conditions for their outstanding functionality.
The highlight of the range is the optional Driving Assistant Professional including Steering and Lane Control Assist and Distance Control with Stop & Go function. In the automotive markets in the US and Canada, as well as in Germany, it includes the Highway Assistant, which relieves the driver of steering tasks on highways with structurally separated directional lanes. At driving speeds of up to 130 km/h (85 mph), it is possible to take your hands off the steering wheel and position them comfortably as long as you keep a close eye on the traffic. As a world first, the system in the new BMW 5 Series now also includes the Active Lane Change Assistant with eye confirmation. This comfort feature now achieves a new level of interaction between the driver and the vehicle. The vehicle suggests a lane change and this can be carried out for the first time by looking in the exterior mirror to confirm the lane change. The Active Lane Change Assistant takes over the necessary steering movements automatically, the traffic situation permitting.
The new BMW 5 Series Sedan is equipped with Parking Assistant, including Reversing Assist, as standard. With the optional Parking Assistant Professional, automated parking and manoeuvring of up to 200 metres can be controlled in the vehicle or by smartphone outside the vehicle.
Source: BMW
If the car has not, itself, suggested a lane change, the driver can still request one by tapping the turn signal stalk to indicate which side.
Sensors must detect that there is enough free space in the other lane and that no other vehicles are approaching at high speed on that side. If it’s all clear, the car will move over. The system can work at speeds up to 85 miles per hour.
BMW graphic
The new BMW 5-series will be available, beginning in October, in several gasoline-powered versions with four- and six-cylinder engines and as a fully electric model. The electric version, the i5 eDrive40, will cost $67,000, to start, and will be able to drive an estimated 295 miles on a full charge.
Plug-in hybrid versions of the car will be available some time next year.
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