BMW has announced that its 3D Maps will combine navigation, the vehicle’s surroundings and driver assistance information into a single view for BMW vehicles equipped with Operating System X, starting in October 2026. The integrated display will show how the vehicle perceives its surroundings and whether assistance functions are supporting the driver, from complex situations in city traffic to hands-free assisted driving on the highway.
The feature combines route guidance, the vehicle’s surroundings and driver assistance information, which enables drivers to see not only the next navigation step, but also how the vehicle perceives its surroundings and which assistance functions are supporting the driving task.
The display shows the driver’s own vehicle precisely within its lane and at the correct road level. This helps with navigation on highways, at intersections and in city traffic. At the same time, it also makes assisted and semi-automated driving easier to understand in the context of the current driving situation.
This integration is particularly relevant for long-distance driving and complex traffic situations. For example, Highway Assistant 2 enables hands-free driving on highways at speeds of up to 130km/h, controlling longitudinal and lateral movement and supporting automated lane changes following driver confirmation with a glance. With active route guidance via BMW Maps, the system supports the journey from the highway on-ramp to the exit, the auto maker said.
Starting in 2027, BMW Group‘s models equipped with the BMW Operating System X will begin rolling out navigation-guided, semi-automated driving in urban areas, initially in Germany.
“An important step toward highly automated driving is the intelligent interaction between navigation and driver assistance,” said Stephan Durach, senior vice president of digital services, infotainment and connected company at the BMW Group. “BMW Maps with Driver Assistance shows drivers how route guidance, environmental perception and assistance functions work together. This provides better orientation when driver assistance is active – developed by the BMW Group in collaboration with Mapbox.”
The integrated display in BMW Maps is based on the new generation of driver assistance systems working in conjunction with the BMW Operating System X. BMW Maps with Driver Assistance has been developed in-house by the BMW Group and uses navigation data and map technology from partner Mapbox. The combination of navigation, 3D map display and driver assistance makes BMW Maps a key differentiator in intelligent vehicle guidance across international markets.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the BMW Group to be the first to bring this next-generation navigation experience to market,” said Peter Sirota, CEO of Mapbox. “Drivers can see exactly which lane they need to be in and everything happening around the vehicle. All of this is brought together in a seamless view – making every trip easier so drivers can enjoy the ride and never miss a turn again.”
Starting in October 2026, BMW Maps will combine navigation, the vehicle’s surroundings and driver assistance information into a single 3D view for BMW vehicles equipped with Operating System X. The integrated display shows how the vehicle perceives its surroundings and whether assistance functions are supporting the driver, from complex situations in city traffic to hands-free assisted driving on the highway.
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