Google meets BMW

location based services
personal navigation devices

BMW drivers in Germany are now able to ‘Google’ for information from their vehicle – a world-first for the automotive industry. BMW drivers and passengers can use this search function to look for local information with search results transferred to the in-car navigation system and car phone at the touch of a button. The system identifies the location and destination of the vehicle automatically and displays the results in the vicinity with details of address, phone number and distance. The navigation system then provides simple instructions for finding the destination.BMW says Google local search in BMW vehicles is a logical development of the link between automobile and Internet. Google and BMW have been offering the function “Send to Car” for transferring search results from the Google Maps website directly to the car for some time. Google local search now gives access to the Internet from the car. This is another result from the BMW “ConnectedDrive” programme, which combines individual online, assistance and service systems in the car. Apart from BMW Online, this includes BMW Assist, which offers the emergency call function, as well as information and breakdown services and the latest traffic information. Depending on the navigation system selected, all services from BMW ConnectedDrive can be procured and used free of charge for up to three years. The vehicle uses BMW TeleServices to contact a BMW Service Partner automatically when it needs a service.