2023 BMW 7 Series to feature hands-free driving mode for highways

BMW's 7 Series has been redesigned for 2023, and the latest generation includes a hands-free driving system for highways supported by highly detailed maps from HERE Technologies.

This self-driving system is designed to work on some highways in the U.S. and Canada, functioning at speeds up to 85 mph. It is also designed to function in a single lane and will not overtake vehicles traveling at slower speeds as some rival systems do.

Because the driver still needs to constantly monitor the road ahead and be ready to regain control at any time, the system, like rival systems such as GM's Super Cruise and Lincoln's Active Glide, is rated Level 2 on the SAE automated driving capability scale on SAE's automated driving capability scale. Level 3 is the first stage in which the driver can take his or her eyes off the road, and is currently offered only by Mercedes-Benz through its Drive Pilot system.

BMW has offered a self-driving system for highways since 2018, but the latest version relies on HERE's HD Live Map, which adds functionality. The machine-readable HD Live Map is constantly updated using real-time data, including data from other vehicles on the road, and provides information about road features such as signs and traffic lights, as well as the road's topography. By providing this detailed information, the Series 7 automated driving system can better understand where the vehicle is on the road, what road features and potential hazards are ahead, and how best to navigate those features. [It is a cloud-based routing system that learns driver preferences over time and provides more personalized route suggestions. The map can also indicate to the vehicle's navigation system where automated driving modes can be safely activated.

BMW said that the automated driving systems supported by HERE HD Live Map will gradually be rolled out to additional models.