BMW sets China deadline
BMW plans to launch self-driving vehicles in China in 2021.
The German car manufacturer announced at a summit on artificial intelligence and robotics in China’s southern city of Shenzhen that its iNEXT will hit the roads in just five years.
Maximilian Doemling, senior manager for highly automated driving at BMW Group, said, ‘If you’re expecting autonomous functions where you can be on the highway, pressing the button and the car is doing everything for you, like lane changing and driving and that stuff, and you can play with your smartphone, and you’re always safe, will have the iNEXT in 2021.’
This is BMW’s response to a growing consumer shift towards electric and self-driving vehicles.
Chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, Harald Krüger, said, ‘The iNEXT will be our new innovation driver, with autonomous driving, digital connectivity, intelligent lightweight design, a totally new interior and ultimately bringing the next generation of electro-mobility to the road.’
