BMW 2010 Annual Report Download - page 234

CUSTOMERS
Connected Drive
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STAYING UP-TO-DATE ON THE GO
Although a few more years of development will be needed before
the Emergency Stop Function is ready for series production, other
driver assistance systems are already making driving more safe and
convenient.
Connected Drive allows driving time to be used much more
e ectively. However, driver and tra c safety is always top priority.
The integrated mail function, for instance, enables drivers to manage
their schedule, organise tasks and access email. Incoming emails or
text messages are displayed and read aloud in real time, while the
forthcoming Message Dictation function will also allow messages to
be dictated and sent without drivers having to take their hands o
the wheel or their eyes o the road. The BMW Customer Support
Centre also ensures all relevant phone numbers, addresses and travel
data are at the driver’s fi ngertips. “Your car will increasingly become
your mobile o ce, so you can use your driving time more e ciently
as work time,” says Eckhard Steinmeier, the manager responsible
for Connected Drive. “Our market research has shown that business
people and managers in particular really appreciate this added bene-
fi t.” Searching is a thing of the past: with the Connected Drive
Customer Support Centre, drivers will always have access to all
the information they need on the go. [02]
The mail function becomes even more attractive when combined
with other functions, such as those of the navigation system or a
stationary computer. Connected Drive can be used to send addresses
from Google Maps or hotel bookings directly from a desktop PC to
the vehicle; routes can be planned according to calendar appoint-
ments
or addresses imported into the navigation system from an
Outlook address book. This saves time, since manual data input from
the PC into the onboard system through a human-machine inter-
face is no longer required.
Driver assistance systems further enhance control and safety
when driving. Model-specifi c options range from Adaptive Headlights to
the Lane Change Warning System, Lane Departure Warning System,
BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition and Speed Limit Info, all the
way to Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function including proximity
warning with braking function.