Top Car Brand Gets Go Ahead For 'hands Off' AI Motorway Driving & It's NOT Tesla

A MAJOR car brand has become the first to offer a “hands-off” driving feature.

This first of its kind innovation uses AI technology to navigate motorways for drivers.

BMW is the first motors manufacturer to launch a Level 2 ‘hands-off’ driving featureCredit: BMW

BMW has become the first manufacturer to receive approval for the landmark feature.

Recently established UN Regulation outlines the use for Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS).

‘Hands-off’ driving

Under the ruling, the German company has been granted permission to offer its Motorway Assistant with Level 2 “hands-off” driving to more countries and markets.

Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority has previously made several exemptions for the country’s largest automakers to offer advanced levels of autonomous driving on public roads.

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Both Mercedes-Benz and BMW are legally allowed to offer Level 3 “hands-off/eyes-off” in very strict driving scenarios.

However, legal frameworks that exist in other European countries means the technology was predominantly been limited to Germany.

But this is all about to change with BMW’s upcoming and potentially ground-breaking “Neue Klasse” iX3.

This new model adheres to the DCAS international legal framework for the safe and reliable operation of Level 2 Motorway Assistant.

Innovative technology

When activated, the technology allows drivers to take their hands off steering duties permanently at speeds of up to 130km/h or 80mph.

This feature operates without overbearing reminders to motorist to hold the wheel.

BMW’s system will remain at a set speed when safe, with the ability to speed up and slow down when necessary.

While the driver has to be ready to take over when required, the technology will essentially take care of monotonous highway driving duties when activated.

It will also constantly monitor traffic for potential hazards during the drive.

The system will even automatically change lanes, with the manufacturer claiming its BMW Maps route guidance can suggest a lane change in good time at motorway junctions and exits.

This can be and should then be confirmed with a glance in the wing mirror by the driver.

Artificial Intelligence explained

Here’s what you need to know

Artificial intelligence, also known as AI, is a type of computer software
Typically, a computer will do what you tell it to do
But artificial intelligence simulates the human mind, and can make its own deductions, inferences or decisions
A simple computer might let you set an alarm to wake you up
But an AI system might scan your emails, work out that you’ve got a meeting tomorrow, and then set an alarm and plan a journey for you
AI tech is often “trained” – which means it observes something (potentially even a human) then learns about a task over time
For instance, an AI system can be fed thousands of photos of human faces, then generate photos of human faces all on its own
Some experts have raised concerns that humans will eventually lose control of super-intelligent AI
But the tech world is still divided over whether or not AI tech will eventually kill us all in a Terminator-style apocalypse

When navigating busy city streets, BMW says the tech will stop at red lights and drive off again automatically.

The company added that it plans to roll out more features after market launch via over-the-air updates.

This is all aided by BMW’s latest iteration of the iDrive infotainment system, a full-width head-up display spanning the windscreen, with dedicated widgets for autonomous driving modes.

Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, senior vice president of driving experience development at BMW, says that the latest UN regulation now allows for the launch of Level 2 autonomous driving functionality in “many more” countries.

“We are creating a perfect interplay between rule-based algorithms and artificial intelligence,” the rep said.

“The driver remains involved, our systems are controllable at all times, and their behaviour is reproducible.”