The Predicting Car

BMW Working On Transmission That Adapts To Traffic, Road Conditions

It seems like new car technology is popping up by the day.  Infotainment systems, back up cameras, phone apps, the list goes on.  Well leave it up to the consistently innovative BMW to keep the train rolling.

The automaker recently reported they are working on a transmission that could predict and adjust  to road conditions, traffic, and other similar factors.  Wow.  

The picture to the right pretty much says it all.  The system will utilize GPS mapping, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), wireless data, front and rear mounted cameras and radar sensors to detect shifting roads and conditions.  

The system is based on an eight-speed gearbox.  

Autoblog summed it up perfectly with this hypothetical

So, let's say you're heading out on the road and it's raining. The data connection pulls in the most recent weather information, the DSC takes in the coefficient of friction of the road and then restricts power to avoid wheel spin. With the integrated GPS, the system can detect the next curve, recognize you're in Sport mode and downshift into a lower gear.

Pretty interesting, right?  BMW is playing it close to the vest in terms of when this technology will hit the market, but insiders predict the next version of the 7 Series could have it.  

So in the meantime, swing by BMW of Rochester for all the latest this fine automaker has to offer.  You never know what they'll come up with next.