BMW introduces new camera surveillance tech

Perhaps to help keep watch of your car when it’s parked in relatively sketchy places or to help you park the car while you’re outside of it, BMW is developing new camera surveillance technology for its vehicles. The German automaker sent out a photo showing off a user making use of the Remote View 3D from a smartphone. But they didn’t really release other information on it. What it has also given us though is a quick peek at the upcoming BMW 5 Series. This tech makes use of multiple cameras expected to come to the new BMW 5 and possibly more of BMW’s automobiles.

And while we don’t know much about it yet, it might be able to work like the Cadillac CT6’s camera, which makes use of different vehicle sensors to turn the car into a dashcam that’ll be able to record what happens when the vehicle is disturbed.

Source: CNET

BMW now steps closer to producing its autonomous car thanks to new partnerships

While Tesla is being investigated following a driver’s death while under Autopilot control, BMW is pushing ahead with its autonomous vehicle initiative with the new partnerships the brand has entered into. BMW is planning on delivering its iNEXT autonomous car by the year 2021 and to help make that happen, they’ve partnered with Intel and Mobileye. They’re working towards developing “future-proof solutions that will allow the drivers to completely shut off behind the wheel.

Intel will be providing the processors needed to handle the constant stream of information the sensors and cameras bring in. Meanwhile, Mobileye will help BMW create systems that can produce an accurate picture of what’s happening around the iNEXT. In case you didn’t know, Mobileye developed the technology behind Tesla’s AutoPilot system.

Source: Gizmag

BMW integrates HTC Vive into its development process

Luxury car maker BMW has announced that they will be integrating HTC’s Vive virtual reality device as part of their vehicle development process.  The automaker said integrating this product will help them iterate designs much faster and implement changes quickly as well. BMW boasts they have been using VR systems since the ‘90s but using the Vive will be more cost-effective for them in the long run. BMW has been evaluating the Vive throughout 2015 by using several developer kits for various pilot projects since last autumn.

Source: BMW  

BMW's new app aims to be your personal assistant in the car

BMW's new app, Connected, is set to become your ultimate personal assistant while on the road. Its features are centered around navigation but it also wants you to stay on top of other aspects in your life. This iOS app can show you things like estimated travel times based on current traffic conditions, send you directions to your destination and even send "last mile" guidance from your parking spot to your destination. It can also pull locations from your calendar and have that appear in the app.  

Connected is powered by Microsoft's cloud-based Azure platform and it is designed to get smarter the more you use it, with capabilities of predicting your next destination based on your habits and it can even reroute you based on current traffic conditions and warnings. Other features include the ability to remotely lock and unlock your car, turn the lights on and off, start your car's ventilation, and even sound the horn. 

Source: Mashable