BMW Assist
Encyclopedia
BMW Assist is a cellular based automotive roadside assistance service offered by BMW
. BMW Assist is similar to GM's OnStar
or Mercedes-Benz
mbrace services as they both use the cellular network and Global Positioning telemetry
to locate or guide the vehicle. BMW Assist can provide turn-by-turn directions
, remote unlocking, vehicle diagnostics, airbag deployment notification, theft recovery and towing or flat tire repair. The service is included free in most new BMWs. After expiration, it can be purchased at a yearly rate.
The car communicates via the cellular network with a Back-end system that receives and analyzes the information. Both voice and data (via SMS
or GPRS) is transmitted. Dependent of the application, the information is routed for example to a call-center or presented on a web-site.
Most BMW owners who are concerned about theft employ third party tracking options. These devices have many advantages, and disadvantages. Most devices are small, and can be placed virtually anywhere in the vehicle. Some higher end devices also contain small power sources. These devices may take longer for the thief to detect, and may be more difficult to disable. The BMW system however is tied into the car's computer system and cannot be removed without rendering the vehicle immobile. Additionally, the BMW system utilizes the car's power reserve to amplify the cellular signal to three Watts . Further signal gains are attributed to the use of the vehicle's large antenna which is several magnitudes larger than a cellphone antenna.
The BMW Assist system has an excellent track record if the theft is discovered within a short period of time. Several bureaucratic policies of BMW may hinder this advantage, since they require a police report be filled out prior to tracking. In some parts of North America this process can take several hours or even days.
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
. BMW Assist is similar to GM's OnStar
OnStar
OnStar Corporation is a subsidiary of General Motors that provides subscription-based communications, in-vehicle security, hands free calling, turn-by-turn navigation, and remote diagnostics systems throughout the United States, Canada and China. A similar service is known as ChevyStar in Latin...
or Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
mbrace services as they both use the cellular network and Global Positioning telemetry
Telemetry
Telemetry is a technology that allows measurements to be made at a distance, usually via radio wave transmission and reception of the information. The word is derived from Greek roots: tele = remote, and metron = measure...
to locate or guide the vehicle. BMW Assist can provide turn-by-turn directions
Turn-by-turn navigation
Turn-by-turn navigation is a feature of some GPS navigation devices where directions for a selected route are continually presented to the user in the form of spoken and visual instructions. The system keeps the user up-to-date about the best route to the destination, and is often updated according...
, remote unlocking, vehicle diagnostics, airbag deployment notification, theft recovery and towing or flat tire repair. The service is included free in most new BMWs. After expiration, it can be purchased at a yearly rate.
Technology
BMW Assist is integrated into the car's communication and audio systems. It works in conjunction with the navigation system (if equipped) or uses its own GPS equipment. The original BMW Assist system worked in conjunction with the AMPS cellular network for data transmission and voice communication. Current BMW Assist systems work using the GSM technology.The car communicates via the cellular network with a Back-end system that receives and analyzes the information. Both voice and data (via SMS
SMS
SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...
or GPRS) is transmitted. Dependent of the application, the information is routed for example to a call-center or presented on a web-site.
Theft recovery
Theft recovery is an additional subscription service BMW Assist offers. This service is capable of tracking the location of the car via the car computer and GPS system.Most BMW owners who are concerned about theft employ third party tracking options. These devices have many advantages, and disadvantages. Most devices are small, and can be placed virtually anywhere in the vehicle. Some higher end devices also contain small power sources. These devices may take longer for the thief to detect, and may be more difficult to disable. The BMW system however is tied into the car's computer system and cannot be removed without rendering the vehicle immobile. Additionally, the BMW system utilizes the car's power reserve to amplify the cellular signal to three Watts . Further signal gains are attributed to the use of the vehicle's large antenna which is several magnitudes larger than a cellphone antenna.
The BMW Assist system has an excellent track record if the theft is discovered within a short period of time. Several bureaucratic policies of BMW may hinder this advantage, since they require a police report be filled out prior to tracking. In some parts of North America this process can take several hours or even days.
See also
- Advanced Automatic Collision NotificationAdvanced Automatic Collision NotificationAdvanced Automatic Collision Notification is also known as Advanced Automatic Crash Notification and is the successor to Automatic Collision Notification...
- BMW Real Time Traffic information System