BMW Active Driving Assistant is a collection of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies. Standard on higher-end BMWs such as the 5 Series and X5, Active Driving Assistant includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning.
Active Driving Assistant is different from BMW Active Guard. Standard on lower-end BMWs such as the 3 Series and X3, Active Guard includes forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. BMW customers choosing a model with standard Active Guard can opt for a Driving Assistance Package that upgrades the vehicle to Active Driving Assistant specification.
BMW Active Driving Assistant systems help a driver to avoid a collision. The package includes advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that are increasingly common as standard equipment for mainstream and luxury brands alike.
Forward-collision warning monitors for obstacles ahead, and with Active Driving Assistant the technology can also identify pedestrians in the vehicle’s path. If the driver fails to brake, the automatic emergency braking system engages to stop or slow the BMW before impact. Be sure to understand that with Active Driving Assistant, the automatic braking works only at lower city speeds. On faster-flowing highways and freeways, the driver must respond to potential collision situations.
Additionally, Active Driving Assistant includes a blind-spot warning system that monitors the vehicle’s left and right blind spots. It warns the driver with visual and, when necessary, audible alerts designed to get the driver’s attention and convince the driver to alter lane-change plans. A rear cross-traffic alert system uses the same set of sensors to indicate to the driver when traffic is approaching the BMW from the sides, such as when reversing out of a parking space.
Lane-departure warning is also a part of the BMW Active Driving Assistant. At higher speeds, it monitors lane markings and alerts the driver if the vehicle unintentionally strays out of the lane. Changing lanes while using the turn signal deactivates the lane-departure warning system.
BMWs equipped with standard Active Driving Assistant can be optioned with a Driving Assistance Professional Package. It includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, active collision avoidance for the blind-spot warning system, front cross-traffic warning, and Active Driving Assistant Pro.
BMW Active Driving Assistant Pro equips a vehicle with several semi-autonomous driving aids. The traffic-jam assistance system builds on the adaptive cruise control technology with lane-centering assistance and the ability to steer for the driver at speeds below 40 mph, helping to make difficult commutes easier. This works only on limited-access highways and is not available in all driving situations.
Additionally, Active Driving Assistant Pro equips a BMW with an evasion assistance system that improves vehicle stability when the driver takes sudden evasive steering action to avoid a collision. An automatic emergency stop assistance system takes control when a driver becomes unresponsive due to a medical problem.
BMW offers other ADAS options for its vehicles, including semi-autonomous parking assistance, night vision technology, 3-D surround-view cameras, and more. As for Active Driving Assistant, expect this technology to become standard on all new BMWs over time, replacing Active Guard in the company’s more affordable models.
The information in this article is from BMW. It was accurate on July 7, 2020 but may have changed since that date.
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