BMW ConnectedDrive has been connecting drivers to their vehicle for many years. Now, a digital companion app that combines the various functions that assist with everyday mobility requirements has been launched: BMW Connected.
Using a flexible platform called the Open Mobility Cloud as a basis, BMW Connected integrates the vehicle into the user’s digital life through multiple touch points, such as an iPhone or Apple Watch. The first version of BMW Connected focuses predominantly on journey management, featuring digital products and services designed to simplify the day-to-day planning of driving, to help get the user to their destination on time and in a stress-free manner.
“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," explained Dieter May, Senior Vice President Digital Services and Business Models at the BMW Group. "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.”
BMW Connected and its functions are constantly being developed and adapted to meet customer requirements. In addition, the functions of existing BMW ConnectedDrive apps, such as MyBMW Remote and BMW Connected Classic, are gradually being transitioned to BMW Connected over the coming months.
- “Personal Learned Destinations” recognise the user’s frequent destinations and stores them as favourite destinations
- Automatically imports calendar events with addresses to simplify planning
- Provides estimated travel times based on current traffic for learned or imported journeys from your calendar
- Notifies the user when a routine trip will take longer than usual
- Sends “time-to-leave” notifications to the user’s smartphone or Apple Watch to let them know when they have to set off in order to arrive on time
- Stores and manages all your destinations in one place for smartphone or in-car access
- Sends a destination to the car from other apps, texts and web with one click
- Provides one-click access to fuel/charging stations and parking
- Provides one-click navigation guidance when the app is started in the car, no need to enter a postcode
- Provides door-to-door guidance with walking directions from your parking spot to the final destination
- In the case of BMW i and iPerformance models, relevant data such as the remaining range or battery charge can be retrieved remotely and factored into journey planning
Additionally, the familiar BMW Remote Services have been incorporated into BMW Connected, allowing a variety of functions – such as the interior ventilation, vehicle locking and unlocking – to be controlled remotely. The vehicle’s current location completes the information available to the user (requires Remote services to be specified on the car).
Later this year, users will also be able to access BMW Connected via an Alexa skill for Amazon Echo. This will enable the user to get vehicle status updates such as remaining range, as well as the ability to execute remote commands through voice interaction such as "door lock". BMW is one of the first automobile companies to offer voice services and access to vehicle information through Alexa.
The flexible architecture of BMW Connected allows for the implementation of new functions and services, some of which will be presented this autumn.
BMW Connected is now available as a free download from the Apple App Store, and can be used in BMW vehicles with the BMW "ConnectedDrive Services" activated, a feature which became standard on all new BMW's in January 2016.
Availability for Android devices is expected from the autumn.
Comments
Post a Comment