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BMW drivers have now covered more than 200 million kilometres hands-free using the BMW Highway Assistant. The system slots into daily use across several model ranges, including the 5 Series, 7 Series, iX, X5, X6, X7 and XM, alongside the new BMW iX3. On the motorway, it allows hands-free driving at speeds of up to 130 km/h, taking charge of both longitudinal and lateral control while supporting automated lane changes that the driver confirms with a simple glance.
Dr Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Driving Experience Development, sees the milestone as proof of the system’s worth. He points to the close interplay between driver and assistance technology during hands-free motoring, calling both that relationship and the safety thinking behind it unique within the industry. In his view, racking up over 200 million kilometres in genuine customer use shows just how dependable and relevant the technology has become in everyday driving.
The latest generation widens the system’s reach considerably. Availability across Europe jumps from a single country to more than 20, and the function now supports the full run from motorway entrance to exit when navigation is active through BMW Maps. The previous version operated in Germany, the USA and Canada, but the new iX3 and later models, such as the i3 and 7 Series, let drivers enjoy hands-free assistance across borders, thanks to DCAS approval. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and the Benelux countries lead the way, with the UK, Ireland, Spain and Portugal following shortly. Northern, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe will join at a later stage.
A thorough safety concept underpins the whole setup. Redundant systems handle lane detection and vehicle positioning through cameras and high-resolution maps, while the side cameras continually check that the car sits centred in its lane. A dedicated safety chip on the ADAS computer keeps watch over everything to confirm it is working as it should. The driver, however, always stays responsible. A driver-facing camera tracks line of sight, eye status and head movement to make sure attention never slips, and the system limits hands-free running strictly to suitable conditions. When the moment calls for it, such as nearing a motorway exit, it prompts the driver to take the wheel once more.
Starting with the new iX3, the assistant gains BMW Symbiotic Drive, designed to blend the technology with natural human input. With assistance switched on, the driver can accelerate, steer or brake as needed without instantly knocking out the longitudinal and lateral guidance. Clear displays and an intuitive operating logic within the BMW Panoramic iDrive keep everything easy to follow and control, supporting safe use at the highest rung of SAE Level 2 automation.
