BMW claims to be launching the world’s first in-car communications centre featuring on-line access. Acting like a newspaper, on-line directory, personal assistant and virtual co-driver all rolled into one, this latest breakthrough allows drivers and their passengers to stay ‘in touch’ anywhere in the UK.
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BMW Online will be available from 28 April, 2003 to coincide with the UK launch of new 730d and 760i/Li models. Initially available as an option across the 7 series range, the system allows drivers and passengers to access news and business information, and to send and receive email without leaving their vehicle.
It uses a dedicated BMW portal which links to selected on-line partners Michelin, The Press Association and D&B (Dun & Bradstreet). As well as access to key data and market information, these partners deliver leisure information, including local places of interest, theatres, restaurants, cinemas and weather forecasts.
The package is interactive too, with links from to the in-car telephone and GPS satellite navigation. Subscribers can, for example, find a local restaurant and transfer contact details to the in-car phone. After making a reservation, the driver is guided to the front door by GPS navigation.
It is activated via the vehicle’s iDrive system, with information and images delivered to the car’s on-board monitor.
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By GlobalData“The launch of BMW Online means new 7 series buyers now have the option of staying in touch whenever they are using their car. This is a truly groundbreaking step forward for in-car communications, matching the ever-increasing demands of our communications age,” said BMW Great Britain managing director Jim O’Donnell.
BMW Online is the latest innovation in the firm’s ConnectedDrive programme which claims to provide safer and more efficient motoring through a blend of online communication, telematics and driver assistance systems.
Seven series customers specifying BMW Online as an option must also have an in-car telephone and GPS navigation system. It will be available at a cost of £450 which includes subscription to the service for one year.
The mobile office section gives subscribers access to a dedicated e-mail account and a personal address book. The address book can be set up through www.bmw-online.co.uk, and contact details can also be transferred to the in-car telephone and navigation system.
An on-line business directory allows customers to find a business contact, searching by category within a chosen location.
Partners Michelin promote access to a range of listed hotels and restaurants chosen by category, within a chosen location.
Entertainment and leisure includes theatres and cinemas with the option to search for the nearest cinema showing a specific film. It also includes a ‘places to visit’ search.
The latest headlines, world, sport and entertainment news are accessible, as well as weather information including three-day forecasts.
Latest company and market news can be sourced, including graphs and diagrams such as up-to-date FTSE trends.
The mobility service features a directory of BMW dealers.
Owners can bookmark favourite services for quick and convenient access.
As well as accessing these services from their cars, customers can also manage their personal account via the web from a PC at home or in the office. It is also possible to view the portal from a wap mobile.
Meanwhile, another new 7-series option, BMW Assist, allows users to contact emergency services at the touch of a button, through Emergency SOS Call or, in the event of a breakdown, to call the breakdown service. Operators pinpoint the vehicle’s exact location remotely using the vehicle’s GPS, sending assistance with the minimum of delay.
In more serious accidents, Emergency SOS call is activated directly by vehicle airbag sensors.
Clicking on the Information Plus option on the control display also allows drivers to connect to an operator by on-board telephone to source information on points of interest. This is then sent directly to the driver’s on-board monitor via SMS where it can be transferred into the navigation system or telephone.
