- BMW has received international approval for the iX3, enabling Level 2 “hands-off” driving.
- The feature allows automatic lane changes confirmed by a driver’s glance, staying active through motorway exits.
- The iX3 debuts BMW’s Symbiotic Drive system, integrating steering and braking assistance.
BMW has become the first carmaker in Germany to earn international approval for its latest driver assistance tech under the new UN Regulation No. 171, known as the Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS) framework.
The certification covers the upcoming BMW iX3, giving it the nod to deploy Level 2 “hands-off” functions, where drivers can let go of the wheel but must stay alert at speeds up to 130km/h.
With this approval, BMW can now roll out its Motorway Assistant (and soon, its Motorway and City Assistant) across multiple European markets without the need for special exemptions.
Until now, German regulators had only granted limited local approval for the system in the 5 Series Sedan back in 2023.
Overtake with your eyes
Once activated, the Motorway Assistant keeps the car steady within its lane and can handle automatic lane changes that drivers confirm simply by glancing at the side mirror.
When paired with BMW Maps route guidance, the system even suggests lane changes ahead of motorway junctions or exits, helpfully staying active through interchanges and off-ramps.
The iX3’s Motorway and City Assistant will also handle stop-and-go traffic, including halting at red lights and moving off again automatically. BMW says further urban-driving functions will arrive later via over-the-air updates.
Symbiotic drive: man meets machine
Dr Mihiar Ayoubi, BMW’s Senior Vice President for Driving Experience Development, says the company’s approach to autonomy remains “symbiotic.”
“The driver remains involved, our systems are controllable at all times, and their behaviour is reproducible,” he explained. In the iX3, this philosophy extends to Symbiotic Drive, where both steering and braking can be subtly adjusted by the driver without disengaging assistance.
The tech’s development has already spawned more than two dozen patent applications, and BMW’s engineers see it as a cornerstone for the next generation of “Neue Klasse” vehicles.
