BMW is testing a prototype of the M235i Coupe that might do Keiichi Tsuchiya (known as Drift King) proud. While, drifting is considered as one of the most difficult form of racing technique one can possess, owners buying an M235i might be able to do that with ease, even while eating a burger!
BMW’s autonomous driving system uses state-of-the-art technology that actively takes part in the driving process by operating the accelerator, brakes and steering with no driver involvement even through tail-out cornering and smoky burnouts. BMW’s autonomous driving assist with an ultra-sonic radar and 360 degree stereo camera technology is advanced enough to shift lanes, help the car overtake slower moving traffic and pull in once the manoeuvre is completed with minimum effort on the part of the driver. The system will also show the optimum racing line around a track, accelerating hard down the straights and aligning the car near perfectly before corner apexes.
The system was demonstrated on a prototype of the upcoming M235i coupe at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was developed by BMW’s technical division in Munich; Werner Huber who leads the company’s automated driving program says ‘2020 is a reasonable estimate’.
BMW says, ‘It is going to take a combined effort with all key players and definitive juristic changes before the safety benefits of autonomous driving can be realised’ . The system, though, might take a long time to be road legal and could be making inroads into production cars sooner if the automotive fraternity and the authorities nod in unison.
Source: wired.com
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Check out the system in action
