BMW Offers In-car, On-line Communications
BMW has announced details of the world’s first in-car communications centre featuring on-line access. Acting like a newspaper, on-line directory, personal assistant and virtual co-driver all rolled into one, this latest automotive breakthrough from BMW means drivers and their passengers of the new 7-Series can stay in touch whenever and wherever they go – but only in the UK and Germany.
The 7-Series is the only car in the world with this feature that uses its integrated in-car technologies. Other manufacturers have so far either done one-off pilot projects or require the additional installation of non-integrated equipment into the car’s dashboard.
BMW Online will initially be available as an option across the new BMW 7-Series range in UK and Germany. In the UK, it uses a dedicated BMW portal which links to selected on-line partners such as Michelin, The Press Association and D&B (Dun & Bradstreet). As well as access to key data and market information, these partners open up a rich seam of leisure information, including local places of interest, theatres, restaurants, cinemas and weather forecasts.
The package is interactive too, with links from BMW Online to the in-car telephone and GPS satellite navigation. Subscribers can, for example, find a local restaurant and transfer contact details to the in-car phone. After making a reservation, the driver is guided to the front door courtesy of GPS Navigation. It is activated via the vehicle’s iDrive system, with information and images delivered straight to the car’s on-board monitor. All complete in a push and few clicks of the iDrive controller.
BMW Online is the latest innovation in BMW’s ConnectedDrive programme, a concept that is bringing safer and more efficient motoring through a blend of online communication, telematics and driver assistance systems.
