The process of producing a BMW just got a lot more futuristic. Starting this week, new BMW X1 and X2 models will drive fully autonomously through the production process. This innovation significantly boosts production efficiency and will be rolled out quickly across the world.

Picture this: a brand-new BMW X1 drives itself from the assembly hall, through the “short test course,” and into the finishing area at the Leipzig Plant. This is now a reality for most new BMW X1 and X2 models (as well as the MINI Countryman) moving forward.

In addition to the X1 and X2 in Leipzig, this technology is now being used for the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series in Dingolfing. At the plant, new vehicles drive fully autonomously—without a driver—along a route of more than one kilometer, from the two assembly halls, through the “short test course,” to the plant’s finishing area.

This innovation is enabled by sensors installed along the route, creating the largest LIDAR infrastructure in Europe. The system relies on an externally generated environment model and an external movement planner. Regardless of a vehicle’s equipment options, its automated movements are controlled by a state-of-the-art cloud architecture.

Key aspects of this technology were developed by the Swiss company Embotech AG, with which the BMW Group collaborated early on through its venture client unit, the BMW START-UP Garage.

“Automated Driving In-Plant optimizes our production process and delivers significant efficiency gains for our logistics. That is why we will be swiftly rolling out this technology throughout our production network.”

Milan Nedeljković
Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production

The Leipzig Plant plans to introduce automated driving for around 90% of the BMW and MINI models built there, with Oxford set to follow in 2025. This added efficiency will play a critical role in enabling the production of the new J01 MINI Cooper and J05 MINI Aceman EVs alongside the rest of the ICE MINI Cooper range.

Looking ahead, the BMW Group aims to expand its Automated Driving In-Plant technology to other areas of production, including driving vehicles through testing zones and outdoor distribution areas. Production and development experts are collaborating to refine the technology in-house, with increasing use of on-board vehicle systems to eventually complement and support external sensors.