BMW Ready With iDrive, Other Telematics Upgrades

BMW is upgrading its iDrive system, while adding new voice-activation features, better navigation displays and improved Internet access for its vehicles worldwide.

The rollout begins this year with an improved iDrive launching in China, expanding globally in 2013. But exact timing on all the new technology depends on the specific feature and market, officials say, and it is unclear which models will see what systems first.

The biggest change to the much-debated iDrive system is a new touchpad, integrated into the surface of the now slightly larger control wheel. Drivers can access system features through the touchpad by spelling out items using their fingers.

The touchpad also enables maps and websites to be navigated or zoomed in or out using smartphone-like finger commands.

The system incorporates cleanly designed 3-dimensional graphics meant to make operation easier and cut down on driver distraction.

Displays now indicate which way the iDrive wheel should be turned to advance through the screen’s menu, and scrolling now goes either quickly or slowly depending on how fast the operator turns the wheel.

Officials say the new iDrive will bow on a couple of models offered in the U.S. next year, but they decline to identify the specific vehicles.

The revised technology includes a new-generation BMW Navigation system Professional with 3-dimensional street view. The system can be operated with voice commands, as well as through iDrive. Information is shown on the central console screen, and can appear in the instrument cluster and head-up display, as well.

The new navigation system is optional in the U.S. on ’13 model 5-Series, 5-Series Gran Turismo, 7-Series and ActiveHybrid 3 models.

Advanced speech-recognition software allows text messages to be dictated into the system by the driver, and voice memos can be recorded and emailed via a Bluetooth-enabled Android or Blackberry phone.

BMW also will make available a plug-in adapter that turns the vehicle into a high-speed, 4G LTE hotspot that allows all passengers to access the Internet through individual handheld devices. Availability is expected in some markets by 2013, but U.S. officials are unclear about when the feature will bow in North America.

The auto maker also is looking to make more smartphone apps controllable via the vehicle’s onboard systems, offering a software-development kit that will help third-party vendors ensure their Android-based applications are BMW-ready.

To accommodate the new features, BMW is incorporating a 200-gigabyte hard drive and expanding media storage from 12.5 to 20 gigabytes. The system processor and graphics card also have been upgraded.

The new telematics features ultimately will be available in BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce models.

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