BMW has been aggressive in developing and advancing technologies to increase energy management in its cars. The BMW navigation system may soon become a smart and integral part of these systems.
BMW is working on a new energy management system where the idea is to utilize the navigation system. The navigation would use an inputted address and plot out the route that is most energy efficient, as well as scheduling the car's energy management activities and timing to maximize efficiency.
As an example, the on board computer could schedule the starter battery's recharge using brake regenerative energy during a downhill portion of the trip, when the load on the engine is light.
This new way of looking at the navigation system's utility - for use as more than just a direction guidance system, is a direction BMW seems to be exploring more and more. The company is also currently utilizing the navigation system in the development of an
Intelligent Anticipatory 8-Speed Auto Transmission where the smart transmission will know to downshift prior to the car entering corners or engaging hills, much as a manual driver would [
More Details]. That system will rely on road information from a combination of navigation system, cellular data connection, DSC, and cameras/radar sensors mounted on the car.
Source:
Autonews