Innovative Technology of BMW

BUS 331
Krystal Carretta

BMW: a name that conjures visions of luxury, style and quality is now synonymous with some of the most innovative technology known to the automobile industry. BMW was originally an aircraft engine manufacturer, named Rapp Motorenwerke. It became the odyssey we now know, in 1916, when the board of directors fired Karl Rapp and renamed the company, Bayerische Motorenwerke: BMW. BMW became an automobile manufacturer in 1929. They began their luxury car-making in 1936, which continued until WWII, at which time automobile production stopped, altogether (History of BMW: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article). They survived the war by making pots, pans and bicycles, until 1948. Since their humble beginning, BMW has focused on creating stylishly, luxurious, technologically advanced automobiles; a focus at which they have been incredibly successful! BMW has pioneered some of the most ground-breaking automobile technology. One of which, is now a common feature in every car: anti-lock braking system. Of course, this doesnt seem ground-breaking, but BMW couldnt stop at just ABS, they had to take theirs a step above the rest. To improve their braking system, BMW places a sensor on every single wheel. The advantage of four sensors is higher regulation precision. BMW's four wheel-speed sensors are in constant contact with all four wheels, providing greater accuracy than systems that use just three sensors. Each sensor carries accurate feedback from a specific wheel independently. Some ABS systems pulsate as little as four times a second, while BMW's ABS pulsates 12 - 15 times per second (US Auto Parts). Additionally, BMW took their braking safety to another level with the release of Brake Force Display. Brake Force Display is a simple, yet effective, way of communicating to following traffic that it is stopping quickly, providing extra advance warning of a potential road hazard ahead. This works by enlarging the brake light area when the driver forcefully applies the brakes. Adaptive brake lights are already standard equipment for the BMW 2 BMW Carretta

7 Series, X5, Z4 and 3 Series Coupe and Cabriolet. Original, inventive technology that has already become standard: this is why BMW is ahead of the rest. Another seemingly invisible development is the Valvetronic Engine. Valvetronic engines use a combination of hardware and software to eliminate the need for a conventional throttle mechanism. Valvetronic varies the timing and the lift of the intake valves. The Valvetronic system has a conventional intake cam, but it also uses a secondary eccentric shaft with a series of levers and roller followers, activated by a stepper motor. Based on signals which used to be received mechanically from the accelerator pedal, the stepper motor changes the phase of the eccentric cam, modifying the action of the intake valves. Valvetronic varies the timing and the lift of the intake valves. The Valvetronic engine replaces the function of the throttle butterfly by using an infinitely variable intake valve lift. The Valvetronic engine does not require a timing belt or chain. Valvetronic has its own computer housed in a separate unit away from the engine management system, networked with the digital engine management system incorporating a 40megahertz, 32-bit computer. What this means for us is reduced maintenance costs, improved cold start behavior, lowered exhaust emissions and a smoother running engine. As an added bonus, especially with the climbing cost of gas, the Valvetronic system does not need specific (or more expensive) fuel grades because of its adept atomization of fuel. Because Valvetronic allows the engine to breathe more freely, fuel consumption is reduced by 10%. BMW is the also first manufacturer to introduce a mechanism to enhance steering through the use of a new-age electronics device: the Active Front Steering (AFS) system. AFS maintains the mechanical link between the front wheels and the steering wheel. What does AFS do for you? With AFS, you wont be crossing your arms over each other on the steering wheel when taking a sharp turn, or need as many turns of the wheel in order to park. AFS varies the 3 BMW Carretta

steering transmission ratio electronically in direct relation to the style and speed of driving and road conditions (Golon). Of course, every car manufacturer now installs cruise control as a standard feature, but Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is an invaluable safety add-on, exclusive to BMW. This system differs from conventional cruise control because it is able to adjust the cars speed to befit traffic conditions. ACC uses a three-beam radar sensor to watch the road ahead of the car and adjust its speed by decelerating or gently applying the brakes. If a vehicle is detected ahead of the car, the ACC system adjusts the speed of the vehicle by slowing the engine or by gently applying the brakes, and then holds the appropriate constant distance. According to BMW, future enhancements could allow complete automatic drive of the car. Input the final destination and the car could potentially use all the sensors and 360 degrees cameras to drive you to the final destination (Boeriu, 2010). Another key feature that was originated by BMW: the self-parking car. A thing of the future, no doubt; however, my friends, the future is now. Who thought we would live to see the day when a car could think for itself? Apparently, BMW did. BMW has focused on developing a very strong parallel parking system. How does it work? Well, computer-controlled sensors find open parking spaces based on their estimation of the proximity of other vehicles. Once an open space is detected, it directs the vehicle's steering wheel to parallel-park the car. The driver controls the speed of the car via the gas and brake pedals; the maneuvering of the vehicle into the parking space is done by the car itself (Hawkins, 2010). Speaking of adaptive features, BMW also features Adaptive Headlights. What does this mean? This means that headlights adjust so the beam of light is optimized for different driving

4 BMW Carretta

conditions (Grabianowski, 2007). Standard headlights work as a pair and shine straight ahead, no matter what direction the car is going. The Adaptive system anticipates which direction the car will go, by reacting to the steering, speed and elevation of the car and automatically adjusts. In this day and age, when everyone is going green, BMW will not be left behind. BMW will soon release its all electric, BMW i3 coupe. Obviously not the first electric car in the auto industry, but it is the first vehicle designed, from the ground up, of sustainable materials. It is made of lightweight materials like carbon fiber (New BMW Technology Promises Greener, Safer Rides). In addition to going green, BMW is working on a system called Left-Turn Assistant. This system employs three laser scanners at the front of the vehicle to detect oncoming vehicles in the opposite lanes and automatically activate the brakes during close calls and just to be sure that the vehicle doesnt come to too abrupt of a stop, this system will only work at speeds under about 6.2 mph (New BMW Technology Promises Greener, Safer Rides). In addition to their vehicles created for personal use, BMW has dipped their toes into the sports industry. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, they decided to unveil an inventive Ground One product. A miniature head-up display system measuring 6x8 millimeters in size is integrated into the racers helmet, providing vital information to the driver. The display enables a wide range of information and messages to be relayed to the driver. With this "visual information window" racing drivers can register visual information while still paying full attention to their driving. For example, the driver can be alerted to an accident on a certain stretch of the track or a patch of oil in a particular turn. This technology also opens up another channel of communication between the pits and the driver. A module integrated in the helmet stores various messages and images in

5 BMW Carretta

a data set, which can be called up from the pits and displayed to the driver. The mini head-up display projects the relevant "transparent" image through the visor on a level with the front of the car. The driver registers the information without being distracted from what is happening on the track (Kavanagh, 2006). A beautiful example of BMWs safety advances in, yet another, capacity. BMW has been ground-breaking creator throughout the years. They have survived the toughest of times and risen triumphantly from the ashes. A name which brings to mind luxury, style and comfort and has been known to cater to the wealthy should now be noted for their techsavvy underworld: the creative geniuses who keep the name on top. No matter the capacity, their attempts at remaining number one are always successful.

6 BMW Carretta

References Boeriu, H. (2010, October 10). Bmw makes self-drive car with active cruise control [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/10/10/bmw-makes-self-drivecar-with-active-cruise-control/ Golonav, L. (n.d.). Afs system- test on bmw. Retrieved from http://ladacars.org/HTMLS%20Technical/AFS%20%20Active%20Front%20Steering.htm Grabianowski, Ed. "How Adaptive Headlights Work" 26 November 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/adaptive-headlight.htm> 02 June 2011. Hawkins, L. (2010, March 18). The skinny on self-parking. Driver's Seat, Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703734504575125883649914708.html History of BMW: Facts, Discussion Forum and Encyclopedia Article. Absolute astronomy. Retrieved May 30, 2011, from http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/History_of_BMW Kavanagh, J. (2006, May 8). Inside bmw's latest powertrain technologies: efficiency without compromise [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.insideline.com/bmw/insidebmws-latest-powertrain-technologies.html US Auto Parts, . (n.d.). Bmw world-technology. Retrieved from http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/technology/abs.htm 7 BMW Carretta

8 BMW Carretta