BMW Maps to Combine Driver Assistance with 3D Navigation

The feature will be introduced from October 2026 on BMW models equipped with Operating System X. BMW says the new interface has been developed in-house using navigation data and rendering technology from Mapbox.

The updated BMW Maps system uses a 3D representation of the road environment on the central display. The vehicle is shown in its lane and at the correct road level, including at multi-level junctions.

Surrounding vehicles are also represented in the display. Information from the navigation system and the car's driver assistance systems is combined so that upcoming actions, such as lane changes or exits, can be shown as part of the route.

This means the driver can see the intended manoeuvre and the status of the assistance system without relying on separate displays.

BMW says the integration of navigation and driver assistance is aimed at making assisted driving functions easier to understand.

The new BMW Maps interface will work with the latest Highway Assistant and Highway & City Assistant systems, depending on the vehicle and market.

BMW Highway Assistant 2 supports hands-free driving on compatible motorways at speeds of up to 130 kmph. The system manages steering, acceleration and braking while the driver remains responsible for monitoring the road.

The system can also perform automated lane changes after the driver confirms the manoeuvre by looking at the relevant exterior mirror.

BMW received approval for its hands-free driving system under UN Regulation 171 in 2025. Availability remains dependent on local regulations and the roads supported by the system.

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BMW is also preparing to expand its assisted driving technology to urban roads. The company plans to introduce navigation-guided semi-automated driving in cities in Germany from 2027. The system will use the planned navigation route along with information collected by the vehicle's sensors to assist with driving through selected urban environments.

BMW has already demonstrated city-driving functions such as recognising traffic lights, stopping at red lights and moving off when the signal turns green. The automaker has not yet confirmed the cities that will support the navigation-guided function when it launches. Availability will also depend on regulatory approval and road coverage.

BMW Maps with Driver Assistance will be available only on vehicles running BMW Operating System X and equipped with the required driver assistance hardware and software.

The new BMW iX3, based on the Neue Klasse architecture, is among the first models to use Operating System X. The upcoming i3 and other future BMW models will also adopt the software platform.

The feature will not necessarily be available on every Operating System X vehicle, as BMW says it will depend on the vehicle's driver assistance system, country, city and compatible roads.

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BMW Maps with Driver Assistance brings navigation and driver assistance information together on one 3D display. The system will initially focus on helping drivers understand assisted driving actions on motorways and at complex junctions.

The technology is also linked to BMW's plans for navigation-guided semi-automated city driving. The first phase of that system is scheduled for Germany in 2027, with wider availability expected to depend on regulatory approvals and market-specific road coverage.