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BMW ATHLETIC INNOVATIONS
PUSHING THE LIMITS OF SPORT.
BMW is applying the same unique expertise and commitment to U.S. Performance Team athletes as it does to the design, innovation and engineering of its exceptional motor vehicles.
ULTIMATE RACING WHEELCHAIR
BMW collaborated with U.S. Performance Team athletes to build a competition wheelchair that pushed the limits of sport. Through advanced engineering and innovative use of lightweight materials, BMW built quite possibly the most advanced racing wheelchair; helping the team win 7 medals, 4 of them gold.
REVOLUTIONIZING COMPETITION WHEELCHAIRS
GROUNDBREAKING DESIGN.
Aerodynamics matters, that’s why BMW used their unique knowledge of vehicle aerodynamics to inspire a groundbreaking design that left the U.S. Performance Team athletes in the best position to go for gold.
When BMW designed competition wheelchairs for the U.S. Performance Team athletes, their world-class designers and engineers saw an opportunity to use the advanced materials they use in their motor vehicles in the wheelchair design. Employing carbon fiber allowed BMW to redesign the wheelchair form for maximum aerodynamic performance, increased chassis rigidity, and improved the wheelchair’s strength-to-weight ratio for an optimized performance.
A proper fit is essential in performance wheelchairs, and ensures as much transfer of energy to the road as possible. BMW took 3D body scans to guarantee a glove-like fit. Much like BMW’s philosophy on motor vehicles – which designs around the driver – each competition wheelchair was custom built for the athlete, optimizing performance so they could focus on the competition.
REVOLUTIONIZING COMPETITION WHEELCHAIRS
GROUNDBREAKING DESIGN.
AERODYNAMICS
Aerodynamics matters, that’s why BMW used their unique knowledge of vehicle aerodynamics to inspire a groundbreaking design that left the U.S. Performance Team athletes in the best position to go for gold.
CARBON FIBER
When BMW designed competition wheelchairs for the U.S. Performance Team athletes, their world-class designers and engineers saw an opportunity to use the advanced materials they use in their motor vehicles in the wheelchair design. Employing carbon fiber allowed BMW to redesign the wheelchair form for maximum aerodynamic performance, increased chassis rigidity, and improved the wheelchair’s strength-to-weight ratio for an optimized performance.
PERFORMANCE FIT
A proper fit is essential in performance wheelchairs, and ensures as much transfer of energy to the road as possible. BMW took 3D body scans to guarantee a glove-like fit. Much like BMW’s philosophy on motor vehicles – which designs around the driver – each competition wheelchair was custom built for the athlete, optimizing performance so they could focus on the competition.
BMW MEDAL WINNING BOBSLED
The USA Bobsled team hadn’t won a medal in the two-man bobsled event since 1952, that is, until BMW got involved. The two-man bobsled event defines winners and losers in 100ths of a second, and only BMW has the level of precision and expertise to develop a medal winning bobsled. Working in close collaboration with the USA Bobsled and Skeleton, BMW created a faster, more agile sled that helped end a 62-year medal drought.
BMW PERFORMANCE BOBSLED
WIND TUNNEL OPTIMIZED.
The BMW Bobsled endured the same rigorous testing and aerodynamic wind tunnel optimization as every BMW. The result was a sled perfected – designed to be aerodynamic and fast – with angular edges that allowed it to cross the finish with the first medal for U.S. two-man bobsledding in over half a century.
Carbon Fiber is strong, light and rigid – making it the perfect material to craft the ultimate competition bobsled. BMW’s extensive use of carbon fiber in vehicles like the BMW i8 have provided designers and engineers unparalleled knowledge and experience working with this advanced material to optimize performance. The final result was a strong and lightweight bobsled that set the USA Bobsled team up for success.
The weight of a Bobsled is fixed at 374 pounds when it’s used at the highest level of competition. BMW engineers and designers shaved off 15 pounds off of the Bobsled’s final weight by using carbon fiber. This gave them the unique opportunity to strategically place that extra weight in different areas around the sled, helping it achieve better balance and a lower center of gravity, mimicking the exceptional performance of BMW’s motor vehicles.
BMW PERFORMANCE BOBSLED
WIND TUNNEL OPTIMIZED.
AERODYNAMICS
The BMW Bobsled endured the same rigorous testing and aerodynamic wind tunnel optimization as every BMW. The result was a sled perfected – designed to be aerodynamic and fast – with angular edges that allowed it to cross the finish with the first medal for U.S. two-man bobsledding in over half a century.
CARBON FIBER
Carbon Fiber is strong, light and rigid – making it the perfect material to craft the ultimate competition bobsled. BMW’s extensive use of carbon fiber in vehicles like the BMW i8 have provided designers and engineers unparalleled knowledge and experience working with this advanced material to optimize performance. The final result was a strong and lightweight bobsled that set the USA Bobsled team up for success.
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
The weight of a Bobsled is fixed at 374 pounds when it’s used at the highest level of competition. BMW engineers and designers shaved off 15 pounds off of the Bobsled’s final weight by using carbon fiber. This gave them the unique opportunity to strategically place that extra weight in different areas around the sled, helping it achieve better balance and a lower center of gravity, mimicking the exceptional performance of BMW’s motor vehicles.
BMW UNDERWATER INNOVATIONS
BMW used their expertise in autonomous driving technologies and motion tracking to help USA Swimming refine every stroke underwater. Through the use of LED lights, BMW engineers developed an in-water tracking system to capture and analyze an athlete’s dolphin-kick motion. This gave the athletes a better understanding of their swim styles and allowed them to train for faster pool times.