BMW receives driver assistance system approval for new iX3
The DCAS regulation was adopted last year by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). DCAS stands for Driver Control Assistance Systems and provides an international legal framework for Level 2 driver assistance systems. The regulation defines DCAS as systems that continuously assist the driver in controlling the longitudinal and lateral movement of the vehicle without taking over the entire driving task.
For the convenience of car manufacturers, the DCAS procedure only requires their driver assistance system to be approved by a regulatory authority in one of the countries participating in the agreement. The system may then be installed in vehicles for all 60 participating countries worldwide. These include all EU member states, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Norway, Israel, Switzerland, Turkey and South Africa. The DCAS procedure does not apply to the USA, Canada and China
With Motorway Assistant activated, drivers of the new BMW iX3 can take their hands off the steering wheel permanently at speeds of up to 130 km/h, but must remain alert and ready to intervene. The system assists with steering within the vehicle’s own lane and can also change lanes automatically if necessary – a glance of confirmation from the driver is sufficient.
BMW’s Motorway Assistant is not standard on the iX3, but is available as a paid optional extra called ‘Motorway & City Assistant’ for 1,450 euros. In addition to Motorway Assistant, this also includes City Assistant, which will enable the vehicle to stop at red lights and automatically start again when it is launched in Germany. At a later date, additional driver assistance functions for complex driving situations in urban areas will be rolled out via over-the-air software updates.
The German carmaker’s Motorway & City Assistant can initially be used for two years after purchase and then extended for another two years free of charge. After that, the functions of this optional extra can be extended via the BMW ConnectedDrive Store
Initially, City Assist can only be used in Germany, and Motorway Assist in Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This is likely due to regulatory reasons, as the aforementioned DCAS regulation allows for EU-wide type approval, meaning that the technology can be installed in all cars sold in the EU. However, the actual use of such assistance systems still requires approval from individual EU countries, and an EU-wide regulation on this is yet to be introduced.
This article was first published by Florian Treiß for electrive’s German edition
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