You might believe yourself to be a good driver, and in all likelihood you are, but what about those around you? When more than 90 percent of auto-related accidents are caused by human error – whether by distractions or through simple mistakes – alleviating driver-caused errors is a top concern for the auto industry.

It is for that very reason automakers like BMW continue to turn to technology for solutions. One potential solution is BMWs “Active Assist” system. By using advanced laser sensors, Active Assist acts as a 360-degree radar. It scans the surrounding and immediate environment and has the ability to automatically brake before a vehicle hits a stationary object.

Vehicles equipped with Active Assist can even drive full speed toward a wall and be brought to a complete stop mere inches away, without the driver ever needing to apply the brakes.

Collision avoidance systems are nothing new, and many automobiles employ adaptive cruise control systems that allow for automatic braking when encroaching too closely to a car in front. BMWs system distinguishes itself, however, by constantly reviewing and redrawing a map of the surrounding area, dynamically monitoring and tracking stationary objects such as walls and columns.

BMWs Active Assist is indeed impressive, and the technology’s next evolutionary step is to be able to track moving objects. While not impossible, this will require the development of complex algorithms to show not only where a cyclist, pedestrian, or car is, but where they will be.

For information on this and other exciting BMW technology, contact or visit us at 3Birds Template today.

Image: BMW