Digital experience.
The BMW Group looks back on a long history of digital innovations and promotes vehicle connectivity with the Connected Car. At BMW, the driver experience is always digital. Every function in our vehicles today has a digital component that significantly shapes the experience of our customers.
The art of car construction is now synonymous with the ability to orchestrate a perfect interaction of hardware and software. We are a pioneer and innovator here.
By anchoring the development of our software at BMW deeply in the complex vehicle processes, we are creating a unique integration of digital products and services and thus convincing digital experiences. From the welcome staging to upgrades and design elements to the seamless integration of the vehicle as an intelligent device in the customers’ everyday digital life.
Newly communicated.
BMW iDrive stands today for a multi-sensory vehicle experience. It involves an intuitive interaction between the human and vehicle via voice, touch operation or gesture; an emotional driving experience as well as a wide range of information, entertainment and digital functions.
What started 20 years with the introduction of a controller with turn and press function is propelling the new generation BMW iDrive into the digital future, where numerous areas of life are becoming smarter and merging with each other.
All functions controlled via BMW iDrive can be precisely adapted to the needs and wishes of the driver as required by the situation.
The BMW Operating System 8 offers an operating system with the latest generation of displays, controls and software as well as particularly high performance connectivity and data processing. The vehicle is part of our customers’ digital eco system and represents a unique driving experience – The Ultimate Driving Machine.
Focus on the driver.
Digital – remote – integrated.
Fresh new feature for more than two and a half million vehicles.
Updates in real time and new functions: more than two and a half million vehicles (as at the beginning of 2022) can get their new software packages via the Remote Software Upgrade feature offered by the BMW Group – easily, efficiently and safely while on the move. The wireless updates promote digital connectivity and ensure more performance, driving pleasure and customer benefits. With Remote Software Upgrade, we are now able to update every line of code in the vehicle software. The drivers can transfer the new software package into the vehicle either via the My BMW App on the smartphone, or the package is downloaded directly into the car while on the move.
The digital experience to go.
The My BMW App and the MINI App are the universal interface for seamless communication between the driver and the vehicle. Customers thus also hold a direct connection to the BMW dealer and to the brand in their hand. The app can be used, for example, to plan travel routes and transfer them to the vehicle’s navigation system, arrange service appointments, request information on the vehicle status or find out the latest news on the BMW brand. In addition, remote services such as locking and unlocking the doors are also available, depending on the vehicle equipment. The central BMW ID brings all personal preferences for vehicle settings directly from the smartphone to vehicles equipped with Operating System 7 or newer.
Milestones.
- 1970s
- 1994
- 1998
- 2001
- 2004
- 2008
- 2014
- 2015
- 2018
- 2018
- 2021