Munich. BMW has been connecting driver and vehicle
for years now with ConnectedDrive. With the launch of BMW Connected in
August in selected European markets, BMW is bringing out an
all-encompassing digital concept that provides a seamless services
experience covering all aspects of personal mobility. Using a flexible
platform called the Open Mobility Cloud as a basis, BMW Connected
seamlessly integrates the vehicle into the user’s digital life via
multiple touchpoints, such as an iPhone or Apple Watch. The first
version of BMW Connected focuses first and foremost on journey
management for the vehicle, featuring digital products and services
designed to simplify the day-to-day planning of driving routes and
appointments: BMW Connected gets the user to their destination on time
and stress-free.
“Over the coming years, digitalisation is set to have a substantial
impact on how we use our cars: digital services will emerge that
connect us fully with our personal world, no matter whether we’re out
on the road or at home. The car will be transformed into a smart
device – intelligently connected, seamlessly integrated and perfectly
tuned to the individual needs of each and every user. This is
precisely what the first version of BMW Connected aspires to achieve,”
explains Dieter May, Senior Vice President Digital Services and
Business Models at the BMW Group.
The functions of BMW Connected.
With BMW Connected, mobility extends beyond the vehicle. BMW
Connected is a digital companion offered in the form of an app and
combines the various functions that assist with everyday mobility
requirements. Once the user has set up a ConnectedDrive account and
completed a short online registration process, they can create their
BMW Connected customer profile quickly and easily. From this moment,
BMW Connected – which is initially being made available for Apple
iPhone users – scans for any mobility-related information, such as the
addresses and arrival times contained in calendar entries, and
notifies the driver of the ideal departure time for arriving at their
destination punctually on the basis of real-time traffic information.
BMW Connected is also handy for transferring places and points of
interest from other apps, storing them as a destination together with
the desired arrival time, and then effortlessly importing them to BMW
in-car navigation systems with just a few clicks. In the case of
hybrid and BMW i models, relevant data such as the remaining range or
battery charge can be retrieved remotely and factored into journey planning.
Putting an end to arriving late.
To ensure
punctual arrival, the BMW Connected functions include “time to leave”
notifications, which are sent to the user’s smartphone or Apple Watch
to let them know when they have to set off in order to arrive on time.
To do this, the expected driving time is regularly compared with the
prevailing traffic situation. Any significant changes in the situation
are highlighted in colour in the app to make sure the driver still
arrives at their destination on schedule.
The “Personal Learned Destinations” function recognises places the
user drives to regularly and automatically stores them as favourite
destinations, which can be accessed with a single click whenever
required. This is supplemented by BMW Connected’s ability to also
recognise personal mobility patterns, such as the daily drive home
from work. If abnormal traffic conditions would cause the user to
arrive home late, for instance, BMW Connected takes action by alerting
the user and suggesting the earlier departure time it has calculated
for arriving home at the usual time. These functions together provide
an easy and convenient way of planning the schedule for the day.
Destination entry in the navigation system with just one
click.
The time-consuming manual input of destination
addresses in the navigation system is set to become a thing of the
past. Assuming that the destination address and desired arrival time
have been set outside the vehicle using BMW Connected, the link
between iPhone and car means this data is imported when the user
climbs aboard. It is then promptly transferred to the BMW navigation
system, allowing route guidance to be started directly. Once the
journey has begun, a pre-worded SMS message containing the current
arrival time can be sent straight from the vehicle to selected
contacts, such as the people attending a meeting. A few clicks on the
iDrive Controller is all it takes.
However, where users park their car is often not the journey’s end
point. Cue “Last Mile Navigation”, which shows them the best way to
get to their final destination on their mobile device. Besides all
this, the familiar BMW Remote Services have likewise been incorporated
into BMW Connected, allowing a variety of functions – such as the
interior climate control, vehicle locking and unlocking, and operating
the horn and headlight flasher – to be controlled remotely from a
smartphone. The vehicle’s current location completes the information
available to the user.
The basis for BMW Connected.
At the root of the BMW Connected concept is a flexible service
architecture – the Open Mobility Cloud. This platform builds on
Microsoft Azure and processes data and information from all sorts of
different sources. With machine learning and data analysis
capabilities also in its arsenal, it provides the basis for
personalisation and context orientation of the BMW Connected services.
What the future holds for BMW Connected.
BMW
Connected and the functions it comprises are subject to ongoing
development and are constantly being adapted to customer requirements.
At the same time, the functions of existing BMW ConnectedDrive apps,
such as MyBMW Remote and BMW Connected Classic, are being gradually
transitioned to BMW Connected. The customer experience of every aspect
of mobility is also being continuously expanded and improved,
including smart home monitoring and control and integration into other
relevant digital ecosystems. Starting in September, users in the USA
will also be able to access BMW Connected via an Alexa skill for
Amazon Echo, enabling them to get vehicle status like remaining range
and execute remote commands like ‘door lock’, all through voice
interaction. The skill integration into Amazon Echo and Alexa-enabled
devices demonstrates BMW’s leading role in the area of digitalization.
BMW is one of the first automobile companies to release a costumer
product supporting voice services and access to vehicle information
through Alexa.
The flexible architecture of BMW Connected furthermore facilitates
the implementation of new functions and services. BMW will present the
next update of BMW Connected in the autumn at the world premiere of
the next-generation BMW 5 Series.
Launch in selected European markets.
BMW
Connected has already been available on the US market since 31 March
2016. In August it will be extended to Germany, Austria, UK, Italy,
France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, Czech
Republic, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Republic of
Ireland and Luxemburg. Feedback and requests received from American
users have already been incorporated into the BMW Connected version
for release in Europe. It therefore comes with functions that
customers in the USA will also receive as an update. Customers, their
experiences and desires are vital elements in adapting BMW Connected
to meet people’s needs even more effectively.
Once launched, BMW Connected will be available as a free download
from the Apple App Store, and can be used in BMW vehicles with the
optional extra “ConnectedDrive Services” activated.
In the event of enquiries please contact:
BMW Corporate Communications
Nadja Horn, Spokesperson Digitalization / Connectivity Digital Services
BMW Group Innovation and Design Communications
Telephone: +49-89-382-57185
Email:
nadja.horn@bmwgroup.com
Cypselus von Frankenberg
Head of BMW Group Innovation and Design Communication
Tel.: +49-89-382-30641
Email:
presse@bmw.de
Pressroom:
www.press.bmwgroup.com
The BMW Group
With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the
world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles
and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global
company, the BMW Group operates 30 production and assembly facilities
in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2015, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.247 million cars and
nearly 137,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the
financial year 2015 was approximately € 9.22 billion on revenues
amounting to € 92.18 billion. As of 31 December 2015, the BMW Group
had a workforce of 122,244 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
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