With the launch of the new all-electric BMW iX and i4, exciting advanced technology features are integrating driver-to-vehicle interaction into the new digital future.
The BMW iX and i4 were the first TOSIM to offer 5G support through personal eSIM. An eSIM or "embedded SIM" is a SIM card built into a mobile device (phone, tablet, smartwatch) that does not require a physical removable SIM card to connect to a cellular network. Personal eSIM allows customers to add their BMW iX or i4 to their existing phones to take advantage of the vehicle's 5G antenna and enable in-car WiFi hotspots. Up to ten devices can be connected to the vehicle's WiFi hotspot at the same time, providing users with high-speed Internet access for mobile or Full HD quality video streaming.
To support BMW Personal eSIM, T-Mobile is introducing Magenta Drive for BMW. Existing T-Mobile postpaid plans can be extended using T-Mobile Magenta Drive to activate personal eSIM in the vehicle. The personal eSIM is associated with the user's BMW ID, not the vehicle, so it can be transferred to another BMW vehicle with personal eSIM capabilities. eSIM is automatically configured and available when a user logs in with their BMW ID.
Setup is done seamlessly via the My BMW app, and once the vehicle is added to the plan, customers' phones eliminate the need to make and receive calls in the car using their current mobile number. Even if customers choose not to add their vehicles to their mobile plans, vehicles equipped with personal eSIM capabilities can still benefit from the low latency and high bandwidth of 5G connectivity when exchanging data between BMW Cloud and vehicles. For example, remote software upgrades can be downloaded to a car within a fraction of the normal time required. Personal eSIM is available as part of the Premium Tier on iX xDrive50 and as standard on iX M60.
BMW iX will also introduce the BMW Digital Key Plus, the latest generation of smartphone-based BMW Digital Key. Digital Key Plus uses secure ultra-wideband technology that allows customers to lock, unlock and start the vehicle using their smartphone without having to take the phone out of their pocket or bag. With Digital Key Plus, owners can set a master key in the My BMW app on their phone, which will enable customers using iPhones to grant access to their vehicles to up to five other users. Parents will then be able to manage young drivers through vehicle access control, which limits top speed, engine power, and maximum radio volume, and ensures that dynamic stability control and smart safety features on the vehicle are not deactivated.
eDrive Zones BMW eDrive Zones is an innovative digital service designed to make it easier for drivers of plug-in hybrid vehicles to access urban areas designated as zero-emission zones. When entering one of these zones, the BMW plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will automatically switch to pure electric driving mode (provided the battery is fully charged). The switch is triggered by geofencing technology and GPS and advises drivers to enter the zero-emission zone and switch to eDrive via the vehicle's iDrive screen. BMW eDrive Zones appears in the main navigation map and in the preview map of the eDrive Zone app menu. The feature is being piloted in three cities in California: Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose. BMW eDrive Zones will be automatically activated in compatible vehicles.