Innovation Insights: BMW Symbiotic Drive
Welcome to the latest edition of BMW Innovation Insights!
How can driver assistance systems support drivers even better? At BMW the answer is: through natural interaction between car and driver – with Symbiotic Drive. Presenter Chris Brow decides to learn more about the innovative concept, which was developed for the Neue Klasse and beyond.
At the BMW Autonomous Driving Campus in Unterschleißheim, just outside Munich, he speaks to engineer Jakob Huemer. Jakob explains the fundamentals of Symbiotic Drive – and reveals what the core team was working on during the peak development period around the Christmas break.
Then, with expert Patrick Sauermann in the passenger seat, Chris sets off on a test drive to experience BMW Symbiotic Drive himself. Along the way, he not only has an insightful encounter with a classic car, but also finds out on the motorway why he no longer needs to keep his hands on the wheel, even when overtaking.
Key Moments:
01:12 – Jakob Huemer fills Chris in on Symbiotic Drive.
02:14 – Chris takes a closer look at the “heart” of Symbiotic Drive.
02:51 – What did the core development team work on over Christmas? Jakob explains.
03:51 – Chris does a test drive with expert Patrick Sauermann, with the driver assistance systems activated.
04:10 – A classic BMW by the roadside. Chris can’t help slowing down for a look – and discovers what Symbiotic Drive means for drivers in the process.
05:02 – Chris is in a sporty mood and tests Symbiotic Drive on a winding country road.
05:50 – On the motorway, Chris learns more about the BMW Highway Assistant and finds out he can drive hands-free at up to 130 km/h. As for overtaking: he is in for a surprise!
07:39 – What driver assistance features is BMW working on now? And what does the future hold? Chris tries to tease a few secrets out of Patrick.
Our experts in this edition are:
Jakob Huemer, Lead Engineer, Functional Design Assisted Driving
Patrick Sauermann, Specialist, Functional Design Assisted Driving
For more information about the innovative concept of Symbiotic Drive, click here.
https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/report/2025/bmw-group-report/symbiotic-drive/index.html
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