Autonomous BMW 330i Will Beat (and Teach) You at Laguna Seca - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

GregW / Oregon · 05-26-2011, 12:26 PM

Updated with videos:

From Autoweek online:

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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!"

index1489 · 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...

silentassasin · 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 Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe, 2012 ML350 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR Posts: 6,197 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 Mercedes ML 350 [0.00] 2008 E92 M3 Coupe [4.75]	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 2008 M3 Coupe - Alpine/Fox Red/Carbon 2015 M4 pre-ordered 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350
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05-26-2011, 05:50 PM	#2
orionredwing Captain Drives: 335i Sedan, 135i Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Jose Posts: 701 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [5.00]	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

05-26-2011, 07:43 PM	#6
ChasVS Colonel Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central FL Posts: 2,230 iTrader: (9)	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!

05-27-2011, 05:06 PM	#9
lostkhan Second Lieutenant Drives: 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: newyork Posts: 289 iTrader: (0)	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)

05-27-2011, 05:06 PM	#10
yakev724 Brigadier General Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 3,531 iTrader: (48)	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.

05-26-2011, 07:21 PM	#4
335Power Captain Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: PA Posts: 740 iTrader: (11)	We are only a few steps away from having cars drive themselves on the street. This is awesome stuff.

05-26-2011, 07:24 PM	#5
mithiral67 That guy Drives: mineral white 335is coupe Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 5,435 iTrader: (3)	uummmmmm wtb system for my car with route from favorite bar back to my place.

05-26-2011, 07:47 PM	#7
Drivaar First Lieutenant Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth Posts: 353 iTrader: (0)	Wow that is really cool. Thanks OP for sharing!

05-26-2011, 08:39 PM	#8
Hops128i Second Lieutenant Drives: 128i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 209 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.

05-27-2011, 05:07 PM	#11
muskamatt First Lieutenant Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 323 iTrader: (0)	what happens when the tires are bald? or does it adjust?

05-27-2011, 05:30 PM	#12
midlifecrisis Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E90 M3 - IB/ExBB Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 546 iTrader: (0)	OMG! The Ultimate Riding Machine. __________________ 2008 E90 M3 2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite) 2012 Mini Cooper (wife's) 1991 325iX (sold - gone but not forgotten!) 2011 X3 (Performance Center delivery done May '11)

05-27-2011, 06:06 PM	#13
Hedges Major General Drives: 12 C63 AMG Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,182 iTrader: (8)	Thats pretty cool! __________________

05-27-2011, 06:18 PM	#14
GOLFFRR BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: Golf Cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Solvang, CA/Camarillo, CA Posts: 10,933 iTrader: (4)	thats so sick! __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, PM ME FIRST I CAN HOOK YOU UP! We are Performance Center\|Euro Delivery\|BMW Individual Specialist Need a quote?..Ryan /Checa Email link \| T.805.482.8878 ask for Francesca www.stevethomasbmw.com \| OUR PARTS STORE \| Facebook-STBMW \| Twitter-STBMW

05-27-2011, 06:40 PM	#16
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio Posts: 1,798 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [3.75]	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

05-27-2011, 09:49 PM	#17
TMR013 Opus Angelus Drives: '09 Monaco Blue 135i coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 974 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!" __________________

05-27-2011, 09:53 PM	#18
index1489 Major Drives: Out of warranty BMW Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 1,366 iTrader: (3)	love the 330! __________________ Gotta pay to play. WTB OEM Headunit E90/E92/E93 08+

05-27-2011, 11:42 PM	#20
silentassasin Major Drives: '07 BMW E90 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 1,009 iTrader: (0)	Gotta love technology. __________________

05-28-2011, 02:46 AM	#21
crackberry Major Drives: Porsche Carrera GTS (997.2) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: southern california Posts: 1,003 iTrader: (0)	The title was absolutely hilarious. Very good read. Google is working on something like this too if I recall correctly.

05-28-2011, 03:09 AM	#22
Robert Major General Drives: 135i, current is350 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal Posts: 6,765 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

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