Dingolfing, Germany — In an effort to enhance technological efficiency, newly manufactured BMW vehicles are reportedly rolling themselves off the assembly line without the need for a driver.
Specifically, said vehicles employ an autonomous driving system that allows them to follow a predefined course inside the automaker’s factory in Dingolfing, Germany.
As noted by online reports, such as those from InsideEVs, the system is referred to as “Automated Driving In-plant” (AFW), which first debuted as a pilot program in 2022. Now, however, the automaker has announced that it is ready for the technology to be used regularly in series production duty.
At the Dingolfing factory, newly assembled vehicles are thus capable of driving one kilometre around the factory, which also takes them through a short test course.
In order to function, the AFW system uses a series of sensors installed along the predetermined route and relies on an externally generated environment model.
BMW further hopes to integrate the technology into its other manufacturing plans, such as its Leipzig factory, also in Germany.
