BMW Group is updating its City Assistant driver assist technology to include additional SAE Level 2 automated driving functions as of next year. This technology can assist urban drivers with turns, lane changes, right-of-way situations, and roundabouts.
Currently limited to certain models in Germany, City Assistant already manages traffic light stops in city settings. The upcoming update will extend its capabilities to assist with lane changes, roundabout navigation, and urban turning maneuvers.
Expanded Autonomy
The new automated features will roll out across the BMW iX3, iX4, and X5, as well as all variants of the 3 Series and 7 Series. These vehicles already contain the required hardware, allowing the updates to be delivered via over-the-air updates.
By broadening City Assistant’s functionality, BMW has prepared a package of technologies that can partially automate a significant portion of drivers’ journeys. The company already provides Motorway Assistant, known as Highway Assistant in the U.S., which permits hands-free operation at speeds up to 130 km/h (85 mph), depending on the market.
Driver Assistance
“By extending partially automated driving functions to urban areas, we will offer our customers a real improvement in driving comfort, with confident driver assistance in true BMW style,” stated Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW Development.
Both city and highway assistance systems integrate BMW’s Symbiotic Drive, which allows drivers to lightly intervene with steering, braking, and acceleration inputs in their preferred driving style, without the system switching off. These Level 2 automation features only activate when the driver remains attentive to the road, based on steering behavior and gaze direction.
BMW highlighted two other features as part of its driver assistance technology updates: Panoramic iDrive and BMW Maps with Driver Assistance navigation.
The tests remain subject to official confirmation in early 2027.