BMW Prepares For High-Level Automation By 2021

A detailed report by BMW has outlined the brands future mobility goals, bringing highly autonomous vehicles forward in the automaker’s plans with drivers expected to be able to let their car pilot itself as early as 2021
 
As part of the maker’s iNext plan driver’s may even be able to take a nap while behind the wheel on cross-country trips, with plans to advance the technology even further by 2030 to fully autonomous control that doesn’t require driver input at all.
 
BMW has published a 19-page document on its iNext plan, giving a detailed insight into its research and development program for autonomous cars. Some of the items in the report cover familiar automation programs previously detailed by BMW, although the high-level automation that will allow people go to sleep at the wheel in just four years' time is a new one.
 
Already BMW has equipped cars like the current 5 Series and 7 Series sedans with driver-assisting 'Level 2' automation, which are able to reduce driver input for short stints, though ultimately the driver’s attention is required at all times, mostly as a precausting stemming from technical limitations and existing legislative framework.

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