Get to Know the BMW iX M40 and Its AI-Powered Lane Warning and Correction System
Artificial Intelligence is a rapidly growing field of technology, and it has been making its way into the automotive industry. AI-powered cars are able to detect their surroundings and react accordingly. This is especially true for lane warning and correction systems, which are designed to prevent drivers from crossing lanes or veering off course.
The BMW iX M40 is one such car that utilizes AI-powered lane warning and correction systems. These systems are active by default, but can be disabled from the driving settings tick box. However, this setting cannot be permanently turned off, so it will be set again on the next start.
Recently, there was a fatal accident in Germany involving an iX test vehicle with five people onboard, including a baby. It appears that the car veered into oncoming traffic, leading some to question the safety of the car's AI-powered lane warning and correction system.
This brings us to Saturday 27th August when one driver experienced an aggressive steering override incident while approaching a northward right turn at Newent in Gloucestershire. The driver needed to go straight on but the car overrode their input and pulled hard right towards oncoming traffic. The driver had to apply a high level of force to counter-react.
The driver was then notified via the BMW phone app that they needed to take the car to a dealer due to a 'Lane Assist' issue. It is possible that the car was able to sense any opposing forces applied to the steering wheel by the driver, and this data was used by neural networks to feed into the next firmware update.
It is important to note that these AI-powered lane warning and correction systems are not Level 3 automation, so they require drivers to pay attention and intervene if necessary. The BMW iX M40 is less aggressive than other BMW models, but drivers should still be aware of how the system works and how their car will react in certain circumstances.
In conclusion, AI-powered lane warning and correction systems are becoming increasingly common in cars today. While they can help prevent drivers from crossing lanes or veering off course, they are not foolproof and drivers should always remain alert and prepared to intervene if necessary. The BMW iX M40 is less aggressive than other models, but drivers should still be aware of how the system works and how their car will react in certain circumstances.
What is the Aggressive Steering Override incident?
The Aggressive Steering Override incident is when a car overrides the driver's input and pulls hard towards oncoming traffic, requiring the highest level of force to counter-react.
Is Lane Warning and Correction active by default?
Yes, Lane Warning and Correction is active by default and will try and stop you crossing lanes unless you indicate. This can be disabled from driving settings tick box but cannot be permanently turned off so will be set again on next start.
Does the iX require an indicator to prevent lane change steering wheel vibration?
Yes, the iX requires an indicator to prevent lane change steering wheel vibration.
What is the difference between Level 3 automation and iD7?
Level 3 automation requires the driver to pay attention and intervene if necessary, while iD7 requires less intervention from the driver. For example, the distance control and stopping on the X5 (iD7) is far better than Level 3 automation, as it recognizes a stopped car at a light earlier and reacts early with emergency braking if needed.
Is it safe to use Autopilot in urban environments?
Autopilot can be a thing of brilliance on larger roads, but it can be utterly terrifying when travelling at >20mph in urban environments. It is recommended to understand how the system works and know how the car will react in a given circumstance before using Autopilot in urban environments.
What is the Aggressive Steering Override feature?
The Aggressive Steering Override feature is a safety measure that overrides the driver's input and pulls hard towards oncoming traffic, requiring the highest level of force to counter-react. This feature is designed to prevent drivers from making dangerous lane changes or swerving into oncoming traffic.
How does the Aggressive Steering Override work?
The Aggressive Steering Override works by monitoring the car's speed, steering angle, and lane position. If it detects that the car is about to make an unsafe lane change, it will override the driver's input and pull hard towards oncoming traffic.
Is there any way to disable Aggressive Steering Override?
Unfortunately, no. The Aggressive Steering Override feature cannot be disabled as it is a safety measure designed to protect drivers from making dangerous lane changes or swerving into oncoming traffic.
What should I do if the Aggressive Steering Override activates?
If the Aggressive Steering Override activates, it is important to remain calm and apply the highest level of force to counter-react. It is also important to keep your eyes on the road and be aware of any potential hazards.