Worrying about violating a distracted driving law may soon be a thing of the past thanks to ConnectedDrive Connect from BMW. This technology makes it possible for the car to drive itself, so hands are not needed on the steering wheel. While it is not yet available on the market, CDC is bound to catch on in popularity once it is released, and could even make manual driving obsolete.
How it Works
A series of scanners, cameras, radar detector units, and sensors are built into various body parts on the vehicle. These units sense traffic conditions and obstacles in the road, and then effectively maneuver the automobile around these things. The system also uses its built-in GPS tracking system to know where the vehicle is at all times, so it can make any turns that are necessary. This is done without any effort from the driver. Speed is automatically controlled by the vehicle in much the same manner as normally accomplished through the use of cruise control.
Where it can be Used
Since the CDC system primarily operates through the use of GPS, it can be used anywhere a road has been previously mapped out. When developing this technology, BWM first tried it out on a test site near its manufacturing plant in Germany. After being successful on this test site, the company then took it onto the Autobahn in live traffic with amazing results.
Advantages
The built-in scanners and cameras could make it possible to avoid obstacles that might otherwise be in a person’s blind spot. This could help prevent minor accidents from occurring. The CDC system is programmed to obey all traffic laws regarding speed, lane changes, and following distance. This could not only prevent accidents, but also reduce the possibility of a BMW owner receiving a traffic ticket. Since traffic laws would be obeyed at all times, drivers could possibly see a reduction in their insurance rates. This could also reduce instances of road-rage, making the highways safer for all drivers.
Disadvantages
If one of the sensing units, cameras, or scanners were to malfunction, it might not be known right away. Hence, a driver could be depending on the CDC system only to have an accident because the entire unit is not functioning properly. Although ConnectedDrive Connect allows drivers to operate their vehicles hands-free, they must still be alert and attentive in case they need to take over manual operations. As this technology is relatively new, the cost could be considerable once it becomes available on the market. Repairs to the CDC system might also be expensive, especially if parts are not readily available.
ConnectedDrive Connect has been tested on BMW 5 series automobiles with great success. An enormous amount of energy has been expended to create a state-of-the-art driving experience that will enhance safety as well. In accomplishing all of this, BMW has even managed to make vehicles equipped with CDC technology almost indistinguishable from automobiles that do not have ConnectedDrive Connect installed.
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