BMW ConnectedDrive Takes a Page from MINI Connected

The vaguely worded press release (below) about the open source architecture NGTP is the first official statement indicating BMW’s adoption of MINI Connected-like technology. For those that might have missed it we were the first publication to review MINI Connected a few weeks back and found it to be a watershed moment in automotive technology. While the current feature set isn’t revolutionary, the concept of decoupling the technology from the car is.

During our time with BMW engineers it was clear that something like MINI Connected will be one of the frameworks that BMW uses in some future models. So why roll it out in MINI first? Two reasons. One; the MINI demographic is made up of early adopters and people who embrace social media. Secondly every MINI sold was being updated for 2011. That gave BMW the perfect opportunity to roll-out such a huge update across the entire range.

As MINI has found, marketing this technology and its associated services is an entirely new hurdle to overcome. It’s not the normal stats and figures were used to. Even our sister site MotoringFile has had a hard time trying to explain it to some MINI enthusiasts. So the more BMW and MINI can do to simplify the adoption and marketing the better.

We expect some functionality cross-over but also look for a bevy of new ‘apps’. Beyond the device side apps look for BMW to take some of the technology currently onboard and make better use of it. For instance you can imagine technology that uses GPS and traffic to determine the most efficient route and downloadble micro-navigation maps for parking garages or other small spaces. And of course that’s just the start.

We’ve heard several rumors that BMW will debut MINI Connected like functionality in an updated version of ConnectedDrive this January at the Detroit Autoshow. The updated 1 Series Coupe and Convertible would make sense given the work being done on the ActiveE. Otherwise we’d expect it would show-up on the new 2012 3 Series and filter into the larger cars shortly thereafter. (Full press release after the break)

Press Release: The variety within the range of mobility services provided by BMW ConnectedDrive continues to grow unceasingly – and will do so at an even faster rate in future. With the second generation of the telematics architecture NGTP, BMW is now introducing a technology-neutral interface architecture which enables faster and more flexible implementation of new services in the models of the Munich-based premium automobile manufacturer. The open source architecture developed by BMW in collaboration with the telematics service providers Connexis LLC and WirelessCar features such elements as a new protocol, facilitating inter-company cooperation between vehicle manufacturers and the providers of telematics services. NGTP (Next Generation Telematics Patterns) serves as the common standard. New services developed on this basis can be utilised for BMW automobiles without additional effort, so BMW ConnectedDrive customers will gain early access to current innovations in the areas of comfort, safety and infotainment. In this way BMW continues to extend its leading position in the field of intelligent data transmission between the vehicle and the outside world.

Vehicle manufacturers, telematics service providers and customers benefit equally from the uniform architecture. BMW will be able to increase its range of telematics-based BMW ConnectedDrive services even more quickly and flexibly. The company will be able to tap into the solutions of various providers and apply these in its own models. Conversely, all telematics service providers have the opportunity to develop services which are suitable for use as part of BMW ConnectedDrive. This reciprocal flexibility derives from the fact that the telematics supply chain is systematically broken down into its individual components. NGTP contains a so-called dispatcher which ensures there is a uniform interface between vehicle and telematics service provider.

This means that in future BMW ConnectedDrive customers will have an even wider selection of mobility services to choose from. BMW ConnectedDrive telematics-based services are currently available in ten countries and are used by some 600,000 vehicles. NGTP technology will now enable these customers to make use of additional ConnectedDrive services. Subsequent implementation of innovative services can be undertaken without having to make technical changes to the vehicle, so the future-oriented and customer-oriented character of BMW ConnectedDrive is reflected more than ever before.

BMW ConnectedDrive has played a leading role in the provision of telematics-based mobility services in the worldwide automobile sector since 1997. The range available for current BMW models includes a personal telephone information service, the extended emergency call with automatic position finding, Google Local Search, traffic information and internet-based services for navigation, communication and infotainment. In addition, BMW Teleservices include a roadside assistance and diagnosis function as well as the transmission of all service-related data to the BMW service partner to enable preparation of a service appointment. The telematics architecture NGTP now provides the basis for further dynamic growth of BMW ConnectedDrive services. Simplified collaboration with telematics service providers will clear the path to creating an even more diverse and attractive range of services which can also be supplemented quickly with the addition of current innovations in the areas of comfort, safety and infotainment. The uniform infrastructure also offers opportunities for the flexible extension of the service range in different countries.