BMW has announced that customers have driven over 200 million kilometers hands-free using the BMW Highway Assistant, marking a significant milestone for the German automaker's advanced driver assistance technology. The system, which enables Level 2 hands-free driving on highways at speeds up to 130 km/h, is now available across BMW's broadest-ever vehicle lineup including the 5 Series, 7 Series, iX, X5, X6, X7, XM, and the new BMW iX3.
"The symbiotic interplay between driver and driver assistance during hands-free driving with our Highway Assistant, and the underlying safety concept, are unique in the industry," said Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Driving Experience Development at BMW. "Over 200 million kilometers of hands-free highway driving in real-world customer use demonstrate just how reliable and relevant this system is in everyday life."
Expanding Availability Across Europe
With the launch of the new generation of BMW driver assistance systems — debuting in the iX3 — availability of the Highway Assistant has dramatically expanded. Where the previous generation was limited primarily to Germany, the United States, and Canada, the new system now covers over 20 European countries thanks to DCAS (Driver Control Assistance Systems) approval under UN Regulation No. 171.
Countries where hands-free driving is now available include Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal set to follow shortly. Further expansion across Northern, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe is planned for a later date.
The new generation also introduces entry-to-exit capability: when navigation is active using BMW Maps, the Highway Assistant can provide continuous support from the motorway entrance ramp all the way to the exit.
Safety-First Design Philosophy
BMW's hands-free driving system is built on a comprehensive safety concept. Redundant systems handle lane detection through cameras and high-resolution maps, while side cameras continuously verify the vehicle is centered in its lane. A dedicated safety chip on the ADAS computer constantly monitors system integrity.
Critically, the driver remains responsible at all times. An in-cabin driver camera monitors the driver's line of sight, eye status, and head movements to ensure they remain alert and ready to take over. The system restricts hands-free operation strictly to suitable highway conditions and prompts the driver to place their hands back on the wheel when approaching exits or when circumstances require.
Symbiotic Drive Integration
In the latest-generation vehicles starting with the BMW iX3, the Highway Assistant benefits from BMW Symbiotic Drive technology. This innovation enables seamless interaction between driver assistance and human driving behavior — the driver can accelerate, steer, or brake without immediately deactivating longitudinal and lateral guidance. Clear displays through the BMW Panoramic iDrive system ensure the driver always maintains full awareness of the system's status.
The milestone comes as BMW continues to position itself at the forefront of advanced driver assistance technology, combining real-world reliability with an uncompromising safety philosophy that keeps the driver firmly in control.
Image Source: BMW Group
