BMW i ConnectedDrive services as standard for BMW i models.
For this purpose, all new BMW i models will come as standard with an integral SIM card together with BMW ConnectedDrive services that have been specially devised for electric mobility and future mobility demands. Because the card is built in, it ensures an optimum connection to the BMW ConnectedDrive services throughout the vehicle’s life.
The BMW i is furthermore equipped with a navigation system that already features BMW i ConnectedDrive services, and has been systematically tailored to the specific requirements of electric mobility and of flexible, individual, convenient mobility in tomorrow’s world.
Examples of this include the Driving Range Assistant, an overview of the available charging stations, efficient route calculation especially for electric vehicles, Intelligent Emergency Call, the facility for accessing public transport options, BMW TeleServices including Battery Guard to protect against deep discharging, as well as further services that are accessible in the BMW i Remote app and the BMW ConnectedDrive internet portal. Should the customer wish to use further products from BMW & BMW i ConnectedDrive services, such as Concierge Services, Internet or RTTI, they can be booked individually from the comfort of their home computer by visiting the BMW ConnectedDrive Store (see also Chapter 3).
BMW i ConnectedDrive services always at the focus of attention.
The BMW i3 comes with two top-quality displays for the exchange of information between vehicle and driver and for operating the infotainment and communications functions. There is a large 6.5-inch screen positioned on top of the steering column, where all driving-related data such as speed and range appears, and a second 8.8 inch screen in the centre of the dashboard for displaying, for example, the information from the navigation system, which is connected to the outside world via BMW i ConnectedDrive. This central display also serves to keep the driver and front passenger fully informed of the vehicle’s status and the drive system’s operating mode. The two displays have been designed to interact in such a way that the information shown is split between them to optimum effect, as the situation requires.
Total networking facilitates mobility planning.
The driving range of electrically powered vehicles is very much dependent on driving style. The BMW eDrive technology aboard the BMW i3 is designed to allow the vehicle to cover a distance of 160 kilometres (100 miles) on a full battery charge. Even before setting off, the BMW i ConnectedDrive services provide the driver with realistic estimates of the vehicle’s current range. One of the key elements of the networked navigation system is a dynamic range map, which delivers precise, reliable readings by factoring in all relevant parameters along the planned route. The battery’s charge status, driving style, activity of electric comfort functions and the selected driving mode are all taken into account for the calculation, along with the route’s topography and current traffic levels. The system is therefore able to make allowance for the extra energy used up for both an upcoming climb and stop-start traffic or traffic jams, and lower its range calculation accordingly. Up-to-the-minute and detailed real-time traffic data is added to the equation, too. High-performance analysis and evaluation of the information is carried out permanently via the BMW ConnectedDrive servers. Every BMW i is constantly in contact with these servers thanks to the built-in SIM card, and this networking provides ultra-precise real-time information at all times.
Dynamic range display for all driving modes.
Taking the vehicle’s current location as a starting point, the dynamic range display from BMW i ConnectedDrive joins up all the points that can be reached with the available energy reserves to form a spidergram in the navigation display. Since the driver is able to actively influence the vehicle’s energy consumption and therefore its range by switching the driving mode, the graphical representation of the range calculation is always made available in two variants, allowing the driver to view the relevant current range in both COMFORT and ECO PRO mode. The driver is furthermore able to see the range that would be available if the ECO PRO+ mode was selected, so that it is always possible to know how much extra range could be obtained by changing the driving mode. The Driving Range Assistant can detect when the remaining driving range might become critical and advise the driver to choose a more efficient driving mode, a more economical route or an available charging station in the vicinity if necessary. BMW i therefore brings BMW ConnectedDrive networked services and BMW EfficientDynamics energy management together to create a perfect symbiosis.
Available charging stations are shown in the vehicle.
Once the destination has been reached, the driver can call up a display of charging stations nearby and even see whether they have any free spaces or not. When plugged into one of today’s public fast-charging facilities, it takes just 30 minutes to charge the battery to 80%, meaning the car can be topped up with enough energy for a further 120 kilometres (75 miles) during the lunch break or a shopping trip. Thanks to the collaboration with car park operators and public charging station providers and the networking with smartphones and navigation systems, the BMW i ConnectedDrive services grant customers highly reliable access to the public charging infrastructure, as well as enabling a simple and transparent means of payment using the BMW i ChargeNow card.
Connected Mobility: public transport to be incorporated into route planning in future.
If the BMW i ConnectedDrive services detect traffic disruption or city centre road closures along the planned route through urban centres, drivers will in future have the option of incorporating local public transport connections into the route planning. All relevant transport connections together with stops and departure times from a specified location can be called up in advance in the instrument cluster display. Drivers are also able to see where they have to change lines during the journey, how far they have to walk to their destination on the final leg and when they will arrive at their destination. The Intermodal Route, as it is known, is calculated on the BMW servers using the information provided by the local public transport operators and transmitted to the vehicle via the built-in SIM card. This technology makes it possible to keep expanding the networked mobility portfolio in future so that the very latest mobility options can continue to be offered to customers after they have bought their car. Once a public transport journey has been selected, the driver is first directed by the navigation system to a public car park close to where the journey starts. After leaving the vehicle, BMW i ConnectedDrive uses the BMW i Remote app (available for Android and iOS) to guide the customer to the correct stop, instruct them when and where they need to change lines, and finally direct them to their end destination on foot with the greatest of ease. Further BMW i mobility services are already in development as part of a steady expansion of the networked mobility portfolio of BMW i and BMW ConnectedDrive.
