Qualcomm and BMW partnered and the result is more advanced automated driving tech as part of iDrive X. Read more:

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/releases/2025/09/qualcomm-and-bmw-group-unveil-groundbreaking-automated-driving-s

Looks very promising

J-RO wrote

I prefer to drive "the ultimate driving machine" myself.

Bro this got me cracking up! And so true!

Very exciting advancements!! The article dives deep into collaboration and the tech ‘under the hood’ 😅 If you want to skip ahead to capabilities, here are features that standout over today’s Highway Assistant:

The automated driving system of the BMW iX3 enables advanced capabilities including:
- Contextual lane change and overtaking: the system initiates maneuvers based on subtle driver cues like mirror glances or steering nudges.
- Active lane change and highway assistant: hands-free driving on approved road networks.
- Ecosystem provided AI-powered slot detection parking assistance and camera-based in-cabin monitoring

BMW's “Superbrain of Automated Driving” – a central intelligent computer powered by Snapdragon Ride SoCs – combines automated driving functions, offering 20 times higher computing power than the previous generation. The system uses a unified architecture which includes an array of high definition 8M pixel and 3M pixel cameras and radar sensors enabling 360-degree coverage and along with high-definition mapping and precise GNSS localization enables a robust system helping to enable safe and reliable automated driving.

The BMW iX3 is also equipped with Qualcomm Technologies’ V2X 200 chipset to support vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications for enhanced safety. V2X communications allows vehicles to "see" and "hear" beyond line-of-sight ADAS sensors, helping reduce collisions by uncovering unseen risks through direct communication between vehicles and their surroundings, such as road infrastructure, pedestrians, and other road users.

[ (V2X) V2X communications allows vehicles to "see" and "hear" beyond line-of-sight ADAS sensors, helping reduce collisions by uncovering unseen risks through direct communication between vehicles and their surroundings, such as road infrastructure, pedestrians, and other road users.[/QUOTE]

What does this actually mean? It communicates with road signs, lane markers, joggers ruining alongside the road???

J-RO wrote

I prefer to drive "the ultimate driving machine" myself.

I mean sure I like driving on fun roads too. But I still have a commute and after an exhausting day at work it’s nice to have an automated system to help reduce the fatigue

If an automated system ever saves your life or prevents an accident, you will be very happy it's there. Even if you believe you are always a better driver than a computer, it will make other drivers on the road that are not capable less of a safety hazard to you and everyone else.

jcarys wrote

If an automated system ever saves your life or prevents an accident, you will be very happy it's there. Even if you believe you are always a better driver than a computer, it will make other drivers on the road that are not capable less of a safety hazard to you and everyone else.

There have been examples of Tesla's automated system taking lives.

J-RO wrote

I prefer to drive "the ultimate driving machine" myself.

You must not have a daily commute in bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic. I’m all for this technology for daily driving situations.

Does this mean this system will finally detect red lights when driving autonomously and stop? That would be an awesome next step in BMW's driving systems.

FadyDizzle wrote

Does this mean this system will finally detect red lights when driving autonomously and stop? That would be an awesome next step in BMW's driving systems.

In Germany the city assistant is available and will stop and restart at red lights.

In Europe is the only country where it is available, but it could be expanded to other countries later if the laws change.

J-RO wrote

There have been examples of Tesla's automated system taking lives.

You don’t see all the times that active driving does save lives though. Obviously only the unfortunate accidents make it into the news. Most of the “take lives” incidents is when driver wasn’t paying attention. The most recent one I saw was a guy using autopilot drove through an intersection with his foot on the gas pedal and head down looking for his phone in the footwell and then crashed.

I knew I've seen that steering wheel before.

This helps the ADHD set that can’t keep their eyes out of the phone.

J-RO wrote

There have been examples of Tesla's automated system taking lives.

Does anybody know of any examples of human error taking lives?

J-RO wrote

There have been examples of Tesla's automated system taking lives.

Yeah and like, no one else’s. Because Tesla massively cuts corners and Elon thinks “he knows better”.

Disabling the radar sensor on my car’s active cruise because “cameras are better” was the last straw for me. The f@ck!ng cameras couldn’t even control the auto wipers right. And then it made you run the auto high beams (which SUCKED) at night while on autopilot so the cameras could see.

Freaking JOKE.

This is not that.

J-RO wrote

I prefer to drive "the ultimate driving machine" myself.

You still can.

J-RO wrote

I prefer to drive "the ultimate driving machine" myself.

Not in Major city traffic during long and slow commutes

J-RO wrote

I prefer to drive "the ultimate driving machine" myself.

100% agree

FadyDizzle wrote

Does this mean this system will finally detect red lights when driving autonomously and stop? That would be an awesome next step in BMW's driving systems.

That's already available in iDrive 8, and maybe even in iD7, but only in certain European countries. Some people have tried coding it into their cars, but it doesn't work properly in the US because our traffic lights are after the intersection and apparently in Germany they're before the intersection.