In 2010 it was Volkswagen showcasing their driverless driving technology by sending an Audi TTS up the Pikes Peak followed by Google testing its technology on similar cars. But none of them have commercialized the technology. Now BMW is aiming to commercialize the system, but gives a time frame of ten to fifteen years before the driving could be left to the cars itself.

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BMW demonstrates their new self driving technology, named ConnectedDrive Connect (CDC). This technology allows the car to obey traffic rules and accelerate, brake and overtake other vehicles on the road by using a series of equipments and sensors like cameras, ultrasound distance sensors, cameras and other laser based technologies. BMW's premier challenge with this system is developing algorithms which can handle ever changing driving conditions.

While industry experts believe that this technology is expected to be first available on premium luxury cars before it could make its move to the mainstream segment, BMW wants this technology to be available in more like a "driver assistance" feature in cars leading to driving automation. Various car manufacturers have already integrated cruise control in some of their vehicles, BMW is planning in extending that feature with some additional features in their next generation i3 electric cars. Additional features include controlling the speed of the car and steering itself at speeds of 25 MPH with the driver's hand on the steering wheel.

It's now time to see whether the Ultimate Driving Machine delivers the new experience soon enough. Have a look at the video demonstrating the technology:



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