BMW Pathfinder to offer Intelligent and networked microNavigation for destinations

Pathfinder from BMW has been unveiled. Where can I park? How do I get into the multi-storey car park and how can I find my way around in BMW Welt? Naturally, the navigation system can show you the way to BMW Welt. Unfortunately, more detailed information on complex destination venues like this is not available – yet.

Specialists at BMW Group Research and Technology are unlocking completely new potential for navigation in the microNavigation research project.

The researchers are using the BMW 3 Series as a prototype. A detailed large-scale map display allows complex enclosed destination areas to be visualised which are not covered by road maps in today’s navigation systems or only have incomplete coverage.

This extended navigation solution does not abandon drivers where conventional navigation leaves off. Even outside the vehicle, a mobile unit guides drivers to their desired destination and back to the vehicle.

Drivers are able to download information about their destination in advance on their home PC. If there is a microMap for the destination area, the driver is offered this automatically and they can select their destination within the microMap.

This destination is automatically transferred with the map data to the vehicle and augments the navigation available there. Naturally, sometime in the future it will also be possible to download microMaps at will while the driver is on the move. Researchers have also developed lane-specific positioning for the vehicle by networking camera information, GPS coordinates and map data.

The driver is guided to the desired destination on a lane-specific route – for example a free parking space near the lift in the best position. Detailed maps in combination with precise car-park positioning provide support for drivers in finding their way around car parks and during the journey.

After parking the vehicle, the data can be transferred to the driver’s mobile device. This handheld then provides continuous navigation and helps drivers to navigate on foot in complex and unknown destination areas.