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BMW i3 Automatic Parallel Parking Showcased At CES 2014
BMW is at the ongoing Consumer Electronic Show 2014 in Las Vegas where it is showcasing a bunch of new technology which it has developed for use in its cars. The automaker has not debuted any radical technological, but the new features can be described as improvements and nice addition to its existing cars.
First off is the automatic parking assist system. BMW is demonstrating the new feature in its i3 compact electric car and it functions much like other similar systems found in cars from other manufacturers such as Volvo.
Also Read: More Automotive News From CES 2014
When the i3 is travelling no faster than 35 km/h alongside a row of parked cars the car's ultrasonic sensors picks up a suitable space and informs the driver. All the driver has to do then is brake, switch on the turn indicator lamps and press and hold a dedicated parking button. The system takes care of the rest, by technically slotting itself in a narrow space between cars.
The electric motors in the i3 allows precise control. The system can park in a space about 22 inches longer than the car and works just as well on a slope. The system, however, is not yet perfect as the sensors require a well defined curb to figure out a parking space. BMW plans on providing the automated parking system in the i3 as an optional feature and will eventually roll it out to other models.
The other new feature showcased by BMW at CES is its ActiveAssist system. Integrated in a test mule for the show, the system is a safety come driver assist feature that works sort of like traction control system. The system monitors the car's grip levels and kicks in if it senses loss of traction. It then works to bring back control by braking individual wheels and adjusting steering inputs, all without driver intervention. All the while the system constantly monitors road conditions using various sensors and cameras for optimal operation.
Lastly, BMW has joined the new, smartwatch fad. At CES, the German automaker released a version of its existing iRemote app for Samsung's Galaxy Gear. The app now provides a range of information about the i3 electric car to the wearer, such as range, charge level, departure times, car status, which could include whether or not the door are locked and the windows are down among others. Users will also be able to access the i3's automatic climate control and send navigation information from their Galaxy Gear smart watches running iRemote.
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