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Cockpit of a BMW iX3, with driver assistance activated on the display. The driver’s hands are not holding the steering wheel.

BMW SYMBIOTIC DRIVE.

SEAMLESS INTERACTION BETWEEN DRIVER AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS.

Due to regular software updates, showed screen designs in the communication may differ from the actual screen design in your car.

Concept and European models shown for purposes of demonstrating technology.

Intelligent and intuitive.

At BMW, the driver is at the heart of every technological development. BMW driver assistance systems are designed to allow you, the driver, to influence the system according to your preferences by lightly intervening in steering, braking, and accelerating, without switching off driver assistance. This creates an almost symbiotic interaction between driver and vehicle, along with an even smoother driving experience.

Technical animation with an explanation of BMW Symbiotic Drive.

Harmonious interaction.

Your BMW can assist you in a number of driving tasks should you want it to—for example, staying in lane and maintaining distance from the vehicle ahead in stressful situations, such as busy stop-and-go traffic. However, you can also lightly accelerate, brake, and steer without completely deactivating the systems and having to subsequently resume them. This makes driving easier for you while keeping you involved and responsible. You can already benefit from this symbiotic driving experience with BMW Driving Assistance Plus equipment.

Driver Assistance features are not a substitute for the driver's responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Always pay attention to traffic, surroundings, and road conditions. Weather, traffic, road conditions and map data may affect performance. Please refer to your owner's manual or your BMW Center for more information.

Driving scenarios in which the BMW brakes without the driver themselves braking.

Braking that works with you.

BMW Symbiotic Drive achieves the next stage of evolution in Neue Klasse models. Alongside cooperative steering and a cooperative accelerator, the BMW iX3 is the first vehicle to be equipped with cooperative braking. If you would like to reduce speed in certain situations while a set speed is active, you can brake gently without deactivating driver assistance. The intelligent system then accelerates back to the previous speed. This creates an even smoother driving experience, particularly in urban traffic.

Driving scenarios when the driver brakes and then the assistance systems take over.

Hands-off highway driving.

Highway & Commuting Assistant complements the features of Driving Assistant Plus. Once the system is ready, you can take your hands off the steering wheel at speeds of up to 85 mph, while paying full attention and staying ready to intervene. The assistant actively suggests a lane change. To confirm the lane change, simply check it is safe by looking into the respective exterior mirror. Your intention is then detected and executed in real time by the software. Human and artificial intelligence work together intuitively.

Driver assistance features are not a substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Always pay attention to traffic, surroundings, and road conditions while using Highway Assistant. Weather, traffic, road conditions, cellular service and map data may affect performance of driver assistance features. The Highway Assistant is not available in Alaska, Puerto Rico or Hawaii. Please refer to your owner’s manual or your BMW Center for more information.

Relaxed parking and departing.

If you'd like, the AI-supported systems will help you look for a parking space. Your BMW can also perform the parking process as you monitor it and intervene at any time. If your BMW is equipped with Parking Assistant Professional, you can pause the parking maneuver, get out, and complete the maneuver remotely on your smartphone. This is particularly convenient in very tight parking spaces when it is difficult to get in or out of the car. This is assistance precisely designed to meet your needs.

Use of the system does not remove responsibility of the driver to assess visibility, traffic conditions and to intervene when needed. The driver should always use caution to reduce the risk of accidents.

Frequently asked questions about BMW driver assistance systems.