Car stuff (public number: chedongxi)
The author | James
Edit the | Xiao Han
This week, BMW unveiled its flagship pure electric sedan, the BMW i7. In addition to the huge interior space and luxurious interior, this car is quite eye-catching.
▲ BMW i7
In terms of autonomous driving, the BMW i7 is currently equipped with an L2 level automatic driving system, in addition to the basic L2 automatic driving function, it can also achieve navigation assistance, identify traffic lights and react, and in the United States, it also allows drivers to completely get rid of their hands and only need to look at the road. In the parking lot, the BMW i7 can also complete 200 meters of memory parking, and next year is expected to achieve remote parking and summoning functions.
Moreover, BMW also revealed a sensor configuration for L3-level autonomous driving, and more news is expected when the i7 is launched.
It can be said that the BMW i7 integrates most of the mass-produced L2 autonomous driving functions on the market.
In BMW's smart cockpit, the front row is equipped with the latest iDrive 8 and double curved screen, and the rear row has a 31.3-inch floating giant screen, with a resolution of 7680 * 2160, and built-in Huawei app store, iQiyi and other localization services. Even on the i7's rear door handles, there are two 5.5-inch control screens for controlling various functions such as seating, air conditioning, media and entertainment, and more.
Obviously, the BMW i7 has a fairly strong level of intelligence, and it can even be said that it is difficult to find a second luxury car that is smarter than the BMW i7 in the field of mass production cars.
Today, after delving into the 69-page interpretation of the highlights of the BMW i7, the car thing found more secrets behind the BMW i7 intelligence.
First, the L2 function is full of NOA, and the traffic lights are recognized
In terms of autonomous driving, the BMW i7 is equipped with an L2-level automatic driving system, adopts Mobileye's scheme, and is likely to be equipped with 2 EyeQ5H chips. This chip is Mobileye's latest mass-produced product, using a 7nm process, and its AI computing power can reach 16TOPS (INT8).
▲Mobileye EyeQ5H chip parameters
According to the autonomous driving roadmap released by Simon Fu rst, bmw's chief expert in autonomous driving technology, the division of labor for the two Mobileye EyeQ5H chips is not the same. One of the chips works as cV, which is mobileye writes a closed computer vision solution; the other is an open chip, which allows vehicle companies to develop other algorithms.
▲BMW's roadmap for autonomous driving
At the same time, in addition to the camera data, the other data of the entire autonomous driving system is done using two Intel Denverton 8 core chips.
A domain controller using two EyeQ5H chips
In terms of sensor configuration, BMW's L2 automatic driving system also uses an 8-megapixel camera.
The complete driver assistance system uses five millimeter-wave radars and dual current cameras to achieve L2 level autonomous driving.
▲ BMW i7 uses dual current cameras
When the BMW i7 is equipped with the Driving Assistant Professional, the BMW i7 can recognize traffic lights, implement navigation assistance driving functions (BMW calls this system Active Navigation), and allow drivers to drive off their hands in North America.
▲ BMW i7
After opening BMW's L2 system, the BMW i7 can travel in the speed range of 0 to 210km/h. Adjust the speed of the vehicle according to the navigation road conditions. For example, on ramps, roundabouts, and turning sections, even if the set speed is very high, the vehicle will slow down to ensure the comfort of the ride.
The BMW i7 sold in the German market can recognize traffic lights, if the front is identified as a red light, it will be displayed in the vehicle instrument for the first time, while the vehicle will slowly slow down and stop in front of the stop line.
If multiple complex traffic lights are encountered, the driver can choose which one the vehicle should identify on the dashboard.
When the signal light turns green, the BMW i7 is able to start over.
This is similar to Tesla's "identify traffic lights and stop signs and react" feature. In 2020, Tesla launched this function in the US market, and domestic models only have the function of recognizing traffic lights, and cannot respond to stopping and starting.
Tesla recognizes traffic lights and stop signs and reacts to the function
If the BMW i7 can introduce this feature at the time of launch, it will be the only model in the world that can recognize traffic lights and move forward or stop according to the signals. Moreover, this function is also an entry-level function for urban L2 autonomous driving.
▲ BMW i7
In addition, the BMW i7 is equipped with a navigation assisted driving function, and the vehicle is able to travel on the highway according to the route and lane calculated by the navigation system. In other words, the BMW i7 also has the ability to automatically change lanes or merge into lanes.
In the models sold in the North American market, after the driver activates the navigation assist, the BMW i7 allows the driver to drive completely off-hand, and the speed can reach a maximum of 130 km/h.
▲ Foreign media test drive BMW 7 Series test car
Since this feature is still L2 level autonomous driving, the driver still has to look at the road during the drive, and in an emergency, take over the direction and acceleration, brake pedals.
When the L2 autopilot function is turned on, the BMW i7's instrument will display a 3D model of the surrounding vehicle and environment, and it can also distinguish between ordinary cars, trucks, motorcycles and other different vehicles.
To sum up, it can be found that in addition to the basic L2 automatic driving function, the BMW i7 can also achieve navigation assistance, identify traffic lights, and allow users to drive off their hands in the US market. This system is almost all the functions in the field of mass production L2, and the BMW i7 is complete.
It can be said that the BMW i7, which has almost all the functions in the field of mass production L2, has almost equaled Tesla and a number of new car-making car companies.
Second, there is also memory parking Up to 200 meters of learning routes
BMW i7 is also equipped with parking assistance functions, previously the public has been familiar with automatic parking, 50 meters of track reversing, 3D surround view are equipped, more amazing is that BMW i7 can achieve memory parking and remote control parking functions.
In terms of sensors, the BMW i7 is equipped with 4 surround view cameras and 12 ultrasonic radars to achieve various parking functions. The computing device is from Renesas Electronics, which has a Renesas R-Car H3 and an R-Car V3H chip, of which the H3 chip is likely to be used as a meter to display surround view images, and the V3H chip is used as a parking function identification and calculation.
▲BMW i7 meter
If your BMW i7 is equipped with the Parking Assistant Professional, the vehicle can remember 200 meters of driving and steering actions (BMW calls this system Manoeuvre Assistant) to achieve memory parking.
The system uses GPS data and trajectory data for steering movements to learn parking motions, learning a total of 10 different parking spaces.
When the study is completed, the next time it stops, the BMW i7 can follow the memory route and steering, fully control the vehicle's driving, and automatically park into place. In the parking lot scene, there are often narrow sections or sharp bends, which may require the driver to go forward and backward several times to turn, even such a complex scene, the BMW i7 can remember it all.
BMW's Manoeuvre Assistant function is very similar to the memory parking function that Xiaopeng and Weima have already mass-produced, Xiaopeng can remember the parking lot route of up to 1km and can remember parking across floors, and WM can remember the parking route up to 100 meters.
▲ BMW i7
It is expected that from 2023 onwards, BMW will also equip the i7 with a remote parking function, which can remotely control the vehicle in and out of the garage in the My BMW mobile app.
In terms of function, the L2-level automatic driving system equipped with bmw i7 realizes all the existing mass production functions of Tesla and Xiaopeng, which is the first in the traditional car company models.
According to BMW's plan, the future i7 will also be able to achieve L3 autonomous driving functions, but no specific information has been disclosed.
Third, the L3 configuration is announced within the year or will appear in the mass production version
In addition, BMW also launched a set of L3 autonomous driving hardware, as can be seen from the perspective view, this system adds a forward-facing lidar to the L2, and two millimeter wave radars directly below the vehicle's B-pillar.
▲BMW i7's L3 autonomous driving hardware configuration
The BMW i7 is equipped with a lidar for The Innoviz One, Innoviz's first product, and is mounted on the right side of the front grille. In terms of perception ability, InnovizOne lidar can achieve distance perception ability of 0.1m ~ 250m, the frame rate can be configured between 5 ~ 20 frames, while the field of view range is 115 ° x 25 °, and the angular resolution is 0.1 ° x 0.1 °.
▲ InnovizOne lidar
As early as 2018, BMW, Innoviz, and Magna reached a partnership aimed at mass production of Innoviz lidar, and after 4 years, the InnovizOne is about to mass-produce on the i7 model.
In fact, in recent years, BMW's autonomous driving research and development has been using this sensor configuration.
Dr. Nicolai Martin, senior vice president of autopilot development at BMW, showed off the L3 autonomous driving technology that BMW is developing in an interview in 2021. At that time, BMW used the previous generation of 7 Series fuel vehicles to do quite a bit of transformation.
Dr. Nicolai Martin, senior vice president of autonomous driving development at BMW
Lidar is installed on the right side of the front grille of the vehicle, long-range millimeter-wave radar is installed in the middle of the front grille, and six short-range millimeter-wave radars are installed in the four corners of the vehicle and directly below the B-pillar.
Moreover, on the forward millimeter-wave radar of the self-driving test car, there is even a striped style of the front grille of this generation of BMW i7.
Obviously, BMW's L3 autonomous driving system is already in mass production. However, the mass production of BMW's L3 self-driving function may be even later.
TopGear interviewed Frank Weber, the boss of BMW's research and development department, last year, and he said: "For L3 autonomous driving, the driving responsibility is transferred from the driver to the car. BMW has completed 700 million kilometers of road testing, and will later prove that the system is safer than human drivers. ”
Before BMW can mass-produce the L3, it also needs to pass the certification of the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), after which L3 autonomous driving can be achieved at a speed of no more than 60 km/h on German highways. As for when Chinese users will be able to use it, the relevant laws and regulations need to be continuously improved.
Fourth, the rear row uses 8155 chips The screen brightness exceeds 700nit
In addition to autonomous driving, the 31.3-inch screen in the back of the BMW i7 is also the most amazing selling point.
According to reports, the Tier 1 on the rear screen is Jiaming, and the built-in Qualcomm SA8155P chip, which is also the top car chip in the industry.
▲BMW i7 rear screen
After a simple hands-on experience on the spot, it can be found that the BMW i7 rear screen runs a set of Android systems, and there is Also Android's iconic home page and return button below, and the operation is very smooth.
▲BMW i7 rear screen
In terms of content services, BMW has done a lot of local optimization, integrated into iQiyi and Huawei app stores, and made BMW the first luxury brand to carry huawei app stores in the back row.
Among the models in the overseas market, BMW is made in accordance with the standard of smart TV, with built-in Amazon Fire TV, which can play streaming videos after subscription, and can also install apps, play games, and listen to music.
In terms of hardware parameters, the parameters of this 31.3-inch screen are also very good. Its resolution is 7680 * 2160, the screen aspect ratio is 32:9, visually equivalent to two 4K screens spliced together horizontally.
This means that each frame has 16.59 million pixels, and the visual effect is very shocking.
Industry insiders revealed that the brightness of the ultra-wide screen in the back row exceeds 700nit, which means that even in the sunny daytime, it will not be impossible to see what is displayed on the screen.
At the same time, the display with a brightness of 700nit is also a relatively high-end product in the industry. A few days ago, Apple released a Studio Display priced at 10,000 yuan, the brightness of this screen is 600nit, and the brightness of the general office display is usually between 300 and 400nit.
On the back of the screen, there is an HDMI connector and a USB-C interface that can input external video content, and two 3.5mm headphone jacks can also output audio signals separately.
▲The rear screen has a variety of interfaces and Jiaming stickers
At the same time, there is also a 5.5-inch armrest touch screen on the left and right door armrests in the rear, which can be used as iQiyi's remote control, and can also set up Control functions such as Bluetooth phones, screens, seats, interior lights, sun blinds, and air conditioners.
Prior to this, most luxury cars integrated rear car control into the center armrest of the rear. When the control panel is placed on the door handle, the left and right passengers can control the vehicle at the same time.
▲BMW i7 rear armrest control screen
On this screen, a number of different modes can also be preset, for example, in "Cinema Mode", the interior mood lights will be adjusted and the sun blinds will be automatically closed.
▲BMW i7 "Cinema Mode"
Inside the BMW i7, there is also a 1965W, 36-unit Bowers & Wilkins 4D surround sound system, which can enjoy the audiovisual experience of the theater in the back row. In addition to the 3D sound coming from all directions, the sound is also equipped with a bass vibrator under the cushion to form a 4D effect.
Conclusion: BMW i7 has a strong intelligent competitiveness
In fact, as BMW's flagship model, bmw i7 also has quite a lot of intelligent configuration. For example, a full-featured mobile phone car key can use UWB technology to unlock the door, allowing the user to completely throw away the car key. There is also BMW's new generation of iDrive and BMW OPERATING System 8.0 in the front row. Obviously, BMW has laid out its own intelligent technology for many years, "and disk out", all on the i7.
In the automotive industry, BMW has always been an early adopter of various intelligent technologies. The earliest BMW can support iPod playback in the car, and then the first batch to support Apple CarPlay, now has a digital car key, a large rear screen, and a full-featured L2 automatic driving, so that BMW maintains a strong intelligent competitiveness.