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When it comes to the top options in driver assists — BMW has you covered! The ultimate driving machine that people have come to know and love includes Driver Assistance Systems that are all-out superlative and are considered a truly indispensable part of both modern and future vehicles. With four different levels, each including a multitude of functions, see how BMW continues to be of the greatest service to its drivers!
What it’s all about!
In a nutshell, Driver assistance systems are those that serve to relieve the driver of the actual task of driving, while offering comfort and increasing safety. This option is especially useful in an emergency where this type of system can take control over the car. As always, liability for the task of driving still always remains with the driver.
Here’s more….
There are four levels of Driver Assistance for BMW, with equipment specifications boasting numerous features in each. Those four various equipment specifications are: Driving Assistant (SA 5AS), Driving Assistant Plus (SA 5AT), Driving Assistant Professional (SA 5AU) and Motorway Assistant (OE 5AX).
The Driving Assistant (SA 5AS) presents a slew of features, all of which are of great aid to today’s drivers. Those include: Collision Warning, Pedestrian and Cyclists Warning with City Braking Function, Road Sign Recognition, Lane Change Warning, Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, Rear-end Collision Warning and Exit Warning.
Driving Assistant Plus (SA 5AT) includes all that are within the SA 5AS, plus more. Those added benefits to today’s driver are: Automatic Speed Limit Assist, Steering and Lane Control Assistant Basic (up to 111 mph) and Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go Function (up to 111 mph).
The Driving Assistant Professional (SA 5AU) adds even more when it comes to features that are rooted in driver’s confidence and safety. Those include: Steering and Lane Control Assist (up to 130 mph), Rescue Lane Assistant, Emergency Stop Assistant, Avoidance Assistance, Road Priority Warning, Wrong-Way Assistant, Lane Keeping Assistant with Active Side Collision Protection, Crossing Traffic Warning for both front and rear, Lane Change Assistant and Traffic Light Detection with Hold Function.
Considered the top of the line when it comes to driver assists, the Motorway Assistant includes all the aforementioned features with the special addition of Motorway Travel, without touching the wheel up to 85 mph and Automatic Lane Change by simply looking in the exterior mirror.
Features like Lateral Guidance Assistance is also a key component to the vehicle’s offerings, equipping the BMW with the proper optional equipment that provides the ability to take over the steering of the vehicle. By providing this Lateral Guidance Assistance, the driver gets the aid of being able to stay in the appropriate lane by initiating corrective steering interventions if required. To bring this forward, a multifunction steering wheel is used with touch detection,
haptic feedback and LED strips for visualizing the handling instructions displayed in the instrument cluster and central information display.
The option of Driver Assist Pro as compared to BMW Drive Assist includes Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, Highway Assistant, Auto Lane Change and 3D Visualization of Surrounding Cars. As a result, the Driver Assist Pro is considered to be a more advanced system providing the utmost assistance to the driver. These systems not only provide warning but also actively help drivers manage the vehicles if necessary or preferred. They do this through braking, accelerating or performing active steering movements that help to avoid a accident and take the strain off the driver who may be experiencing critical or monotonous driving situations. Other systems help with maneuvering or parking if needed.
Overall Driver Assistance Packages from BMW represent a wide array of advanced safety features that serve to reduce driver stress and fatigue, and prevent accidents. These features are the result of a variety of sensors, including cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors that serve to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings and to provide warnings or take corrective action if necessary. These sensors capture such information as speed limits, the distance to other vehicles and lane markings. In addition GPS and navigation system data feeds into the processing.
More of a break down!
Driver assistance systems include such features as Hill start assist, like the name makes clear, which helps in those situations where drivers are driving up a hill and shortly before the peak need to stop. This system greatly helps with that particular scenario. In specific, when the driver disengages the break at this time, the rear axle secures the vehicle for a short time. When starting, the driver assistant then releases this once more.
Road sign recognition helps today’s driver who must be keenly aware of a great deal on the open road, including oncoming traffic, speed restrictions, signs and more. With the help of a camera system, which scans road signs and represents the processed data on the screen, the driver can maintain his or her full attention on the road then have this displayed clearly in one place, directly on the screen. This results in increased safety and comfort for drivers, also allowing them to fully concentrate where needed.
The feature of Emergency brake assist has the key benefit of warning about the risk of collision, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop before it results in a crash with an obstruction, person or another car. This is done through sensors which measure the current speed and distance of the car ahead or the static obstruction. The alert is done through acoustic warning signals that are complemented by visual displays.
For those drivers having to deal with congestion and slow-moving traffic, Steering and lane guidance assist helps keep one’s vehicle in the lane, even at high speeds, and makes the task of steering simpler. Cameras are utilized and serve as a means to detect lane markings, therefore guiding the driver assistance system to the boundaries of the lane you are driving in.
Referred to also as “Speed Control,” Cruise control allows drivers to detect their desired cruising speed. Taking place in combination with distance control, this feature helps drivers to maintain their chosen speed, thus enhancing comfort during those long distances. This feature can also adjust electronically the speed to the surroundings as well as appropriately adjust the engine power.
Distance control, or Adaptive Cruise Control, orients to the vehicle ahead and automatically brakes or accelerates depending on the distance from the leading vehicle. Already integrated into many modern vehicles, this system is the result of sensors that measure the current speed and the distance of the car ahead. This is especially helpful for drivers who find themselves in stop start traffic.
Adapting the maximum speed to the particular speed limit, Speed limit assist provides that additional speed camera insurance recognizing the respective speed limit and automatically adjusting. It works by superimposing information about the speed limit onto the display area.
Lane-change warning helps drivers safely execute a lane change and supports the view in the rear mirror and over shoulder. This is especially beneficial if a driver approaches a blind spot and is in danger of missing another car. A warning is made using flashing symbols in the side mirror and also through steering wheel vibrations or steering impulses. A subsequent development is lane-change assist, which means drivers can change lanes automatically once setting the indicator.
Finally, Parking assist helps a driver when maneuvering or parking, utilizing ultrasound and camera sensor data. Park pilot indicates distance to surrounding objects while a rear camera display showcases the area behind the car and adds in suggested lines which provide guidance when parking. Moving in and out of parking spaces has now gotten that much easier thanks to this assist!
The choice of whether to purchase a driving assistance package or not is much dependent on one’s lifestyle and individual needs, as well as what one is willing to spend. Those drivers desiring the best possible safety features should consider this investment, as these systems serve to reduce any and all driver stress and fatigue and above all mitigate accidents.
All in all, the focus with all of these assists or the overriding theme is autonomous driving, which is a preview into the future. Helping hand personified — see what the future of mobility is all about!
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