Autonomous BMW 330i Will Beat (and Teach) You at Laguna Seca

GregW / Oregon · 05-26-2011, 12:26 PM

Updated with videos:

From Autoweek online:

Name: autonomousbmw.jpg
Views: 9037
Size: 24.9 KB

By MARK VAUGHN on 5/26/2011

Race-car drivers, you may soon be out of a job. Just as IBM built a computer that could beat humans at chess and even at Jeopardy, BMW has built a car that can beat your lap time. OK, the best drivers can still beat this car, but we can imagine a time when autonomous cars will handle all of our driving needs, even the competitive kind.

We know this because we just took three high-speed laps of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca sitting in the driver's seat--but not driving. Our BMW 330 was turning laps of just more than two minutes, and we weren't doing anything but sitting in it. Acceleration, braking and steering were all done by the car's enormous brain. We had our hands positioned near the steering wheel in case the machine's brain suddenly went nuts, but it hasn't yet done that in more than 12,000 miles of testing.

The car, which has been around for several years, uses GPS, on-board cameras, dead reckoning, ECU data about vehicle parameters and a precisely programmed navigation route to repeat lap after high-speed lap of a route that always follows the racing line.

The idea is to show student drivers the proper braking points, apexes and just when to get on the throttle. It was demonstrated for some members of the media this week.

The car also has circumnavigated Hockenheim and the notorious Nordschleife. It is limited only to tracks that have been programmed into it, and the racing line itself was plotted by a professional driver, but it is impressively quick. Our laps were run at about a 2:04 pace, but engineers said the car could probably lap in the mid-1:50s.

After our stint behind the wheel we got to follow in another 3-series. At first we thought we could easily overtake the autonomous robot wagen, until we realized we were by then in a much more powerful 335i instead of the robotic 330. It would be great fun to try and match lap times in identical cars, with the robo Bimmer cranked all the way up to full tilt. We think we could take him, or her, but you never know. Engineers say the best drivers can still beat their creation, but we think that'll change soon enough.

Future uses are left for the imagination, but we're thinking this would make a good science-fiction movie, at least for now. After that, man-versus-machine Saturday-night grudge matches at your local track.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...#ixzz1NTqSrWIc

orionredwing · 05-26-2011, 05:50 PM

This is very cool. I remember my lap times around Laguna in a stock 335i were very close ~1:55-1:58. It's funny to see that the autonomous system is slightly faster and probably more consistent lap to lap than I am, lol! I'm now fully modified (but still stock boost) at 1:49 w/ more room to go. Wonder what times the autonomous system would pull in my car

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/26/w...track-trainer/

CPWINCH · 05-26-2011, 07:09 PM

that is awesome

335Power · 05-26-2011, 07:21 PM

We are only a few steps away from having cars drive themselves on the street. This is awesome stuff.

mithiral67 · 05-26-2011, 07:24 PM

uummmmmm wtb system for my car with route from favorite bar back to my place.

ChasVS · 05-26-2011, 07:43 PM

Notice There's no other traffic... There's no collision avoidance in this thing, just memorised power and turns.

Drivaar · 05-26-2011, 07:47 PM

Wow that is really cool. Thanks OP for sharing!

Hops128i · 05-26-2011, 08:39 PM

yeah this is cool. I would think this would really be a great training tool. Looks very efficient, but not entirely satisfying. Kinda of seems like fly fishing in the hatchery.

lostkhan · 05-27-2011, 05:06 PM

Guess i will not be buying cars in the future. I like to drive my own car.

yakev724 · 05-27-2011, 05:06 PM

ummm...am I missing something?

2 years ago, this happened (I guess AutoWeek are a bit behind):

muskamatt · 05-27-2011, 05:07 PM

what happens when the tires are bald? or does it adjust?

midlifecrisis · 05-27-2011, 05:30 PM

OMG! The Ultimate Riding Machine.

Hedges · 05-27-2011, 06:06 PM

Thats pretty cool!

GOLFFRR · 05-27-2011, 06:18 PM

thats so sick!

Duhst · 05-27-2011, 06:26 PM

lol same thing popped in my head when i read this..

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakev724

ummm...am I missing something?

2 years ago, this happened (I guess AutoWeek are a bit behind):

Bimmer84 · 05-27-2011, 06:40 PM

Perma-DD!!

TMR013 · 05-27-2011, 09:49 PM

Sorry, I'm going to be one of those old curmudgeonly dinosaurs still driving my car, causing headaches for the man and cursing those "damn dirty robots!"

05-27-2011, 09:53 PM

love the 330!

RussRamz · 05-27-2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muskamatt

what happens when the tires are bald? or does it adjust?

I was thinking along the same lines with rain or snow. I'm sure the engineers have that figured out--they are German afterall...

M5007 · 05-27-2011, 11:42 PM

Gotta love technology.

crackberry · 05-28-2011, 02:46 AM

The title was absolutely hilarious. Very good read. Google is working on something like this too if I recall correctly.

Robert · 05-28-2011, 03:09 AM

Google's system is by far more superior than BMW's system. I am sure BMW's system is based on GPS while Google's can drive itself on unmapped terrains. Meaning it's capable of recognizing an obstacle, what is drivable and perform collison avoidance.

I warned you guys who love automatic, next time at the light or a track it comes down to whose car can drives itself faster

05-26-2011, 12:26 PM	#1
GregW / Oregon Commander-In-Chief 2119 Rep 8,922 Posts Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR iTrader: (3) Garage List 2023 M2 Coupe [9.83] 2020 Mercedes GLE 450 [7.25]	Autonomous BMW 330i Will Beat (and Teach) You at Laguna Seca Updated with videos: From Autoweek online: By MARK VAUGHN on 5/26/2011 Race-car drivers, you may soon be out of a job. Just as IBM built a computer that could beat humans at chess and even at Jeopardy, BMW has built a car that can beat your lap time. OK, the best drivers can still beat this car, but we can imagine a time when autonomous cars will handle all of our driving needs, even the competitive kind. We know this because we just took three high-speed laps of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca sitting in the driver's seat--but not driving. Our BMW 330 was turning laps of just more than two minutes, and we weren't doing anything but sitting in it. Acceleration, braking and steering were all done by the car's enormous brain. We had our hands positioned near the steering wheel in case the machine's brain suddenly went nuts, but it hasn't yet done that in more than 12,000 miles of testing. The car, which has been around for several years, uses GPS, on-board cameras, dead reckoning, ECU data about vehicle parameters and a precisely programmed navigation route to repeat lap after high-speed lap of a route that always follows the racing line. The idea is to show student drivers the proper braking points, apexes and just when to get on the throttle. It was demonstrated for some members of the media this week. The car also has circumnavigated Hockenheim and the notorious Nordschleife. It is limited only to tracks that have been programmed into it, and the racing line itself was plotted by a professional driver, but it is impressively quick. Our laps were run at about a 2:04 pace, but engineers said the car could probably lap in the mid-1:50s. After our stint behind the wheel we got to follow in another 3-series. At first we thought we could easily overtake the autonomous robot wagen, until we realized we were by then in a much more powerful 335i instead of the robotic 330. It would be great fun to try and match lap times in identical cars, with the robo Bimmer cranked all the way up to full tilt. We think we could take him, or her, but you never know. Engineers say the best drivers can still beat their creation, but we think that'll change soon enough. Future uses are left for the imagination, but we're thinking this would make a good science-fiction movie, at least for now. After that, man-versus-machine Saturday-night grudge matches at your local track. Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...#ixzz1NTqSrWIc __________________ Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA 2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-26-2011, 05:50 PM	#2
orionredwing Captain 106 Rep 728 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan, 135i Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [10.00]	Autonomous BMW drives ITSELF around the track (Laguna Seca)! This is very cool. I remember my lap times around Laguna in a stock 335i were very close ~1:55-1:58. It's funny to see that the autonomous system is slightly faster and probably more consistent lap to lap than I am, lol! I'm now fully modified (but still stock boost) at 1:49 w/ more room to go. Wonder what times the autonomous system would pull in my car http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/26/w...track-trainer/ __________________ PROcede \| AMS FMIC \| AR Catless DPs \| AR Oil Cooler \| BMS DCI Wavetrac LSD \| KW V3 w/ Swift Springs \| M3 Front Suspension
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2011, 07:09 PM	#3
CPWINCH Brigadier General 734 Rep 4,635 Posts Drives: Toyota Prius Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (7)	that is awesome __________________ Follow my BMW instagram @CARMODIFICATION Let me know you are from bimmerpost and i'll follow back
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2011, 07:21 PM	#4
335Power Captain 36 Rep 742 Posts Drives: B8.5 S4, F30 328i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: PA iTrader: (11)	We are only a few steps away from having cars drive themselves on the street. This is awesome stuff.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2011, 07:24 PM	#5
mithiral67 That guy 117 Rep 5,740 Posts Drives: 2015 Cayman GTS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (4) Garage List 2015 Porsche Cayman ... [0.00]	uummmmmm wtb system for my car with route from favorite bar back to my place.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2011, 07:43 PM	#6
ChasVS Colonel 40 Rep 2,431 Posts Drives: 2012 MB ML350 Bluetec Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central FL iTrader: (10)	Notice There's no other traffic... There's no collision avoidance in this thing, just memorised power and turns. __________________ My speeding isn't the problem. It's the Slow Folks ahead of me that cause accidents!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2011, 07:47 PM	#7
Drivaar Lieutenant 73 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Wow that is really cool. Thanks OP for sharing!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-26-2011, 08:39 PM	#8
Hops128i Captain 71 Rep 675 Posts Drives: 2010 128i, manual, sport pkg Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Silver Spring, Maryland iTrader: (0)	yeah this is cool. I would think this would really be a great training tool. Looks very efficient, but not entirely satisfying. Kinda of seems like fly fishing in the hatchery.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 05:06 PM	#9
lostkhan Lieutenant 56 Rep 438 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: newyork iTrader: (1)	Guess i will not be buying cars in the future. I like to drive my own car. __________________ BMW 135i 2008 (Current) - Subaru Legacy (DD) - Mountaineer (Hauling) Maxima 95 (Retired) - Acura TL 02 (Retired) - Acura TLS 03 (Retired) - Acura TL 05 (Retired) - Scion tC 2006 (Retired) Audi A4 2003 (Retired) - Jeep Grand Cherokee 96 DD (Retired)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 05:06 PM	#10
yakev724 Brigadier General 231 Rep 3,561 Posts Drives: 15 S3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (49)	ummm...am I missing something? 2 years ago, this happened (I guess AutoWeek are a bit behind): Last edited by yakev724; 05-27-2011 at 05:15 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 05:07 PM	#11
muskamatt First Lieutenant 9 Rep 348 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	what happens when the tires are bald? or does it adjust?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 05:30 PM	#12
midlifecrisis Major 807 Rep 1,209 Posts Drives: 2017 X5 35d, 2019 230i X Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	OMG! The Ultimate Riding Machine. __________________ 2017 X5 35d (Performance Center delivery March 2017) 2019 230i X-drive 2022 M3 base 2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite), 2006 M3 slick top - Alpine White/Cinnamon SOLD! 2008 E90 M3 SOLD! 1991 325iX (both great), 2019 Miata RF - various others not as memorable but gone.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 06:06 PM	#13
Hedges Major General 116 Rep 5,178 Posts Drives: 12 C63 AMG Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (8)	Thats pretty cool! __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 06:18 PM	#14
GOLFFRR 10810 Rep 27,596 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	thats so sick! __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 06:40 PM	#16
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night 109 Rep 1,831 Posts Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [7.50]	Perma-DD!! __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 09:49 PM	#17
TMR013 Opus Angelus 425 Rep 1,267 Posts Drives: 2018 LBB M2 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	Sorry, I'm going to be one of those old curmudgeonly dinosaurs still driving my car, causing headaches for the man and cursing those "damn dirty robots!"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 09:53 PM	#18
RemovedUser Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	love the 330!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 11:42 PM	#20
M5007 Major 71 Rep 1,410 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 Competition Package Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Gotta love technology. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-28-2011, 02:46 AM	#21
crackberry Major 32 Rep 999 Posts Drives: Porsche Carrera GTS (997.2) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: southern california iTrader: (0)	The title was absolutely hilarious. Very good read. Google is working on something like this too if I recall correctly.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-28-2011, 03:09 AM	#22
Robert Major General 414 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	Google's system is by far more superior than BMW's system. I am sure BMW's system is based on GPS while Google's can drive itself on unmapped terrains. Meaning it's capable of recognizing an obstacle, what is drivable and perform collison avoidance. I warned you guys who love automatic, next time at the light or a track it comes down to whose car can drives itself faster __________________ - There's nothing in my pocket other than knives and lint
	Appreciate 0 Quote