Like it or not, computer chips and software form the backbone of practically every modern vehicle. These systems control myriad functions, from ignition timing and transmission shift points to the infotainment system, exterior lighting, advanced driver assistance technologies like adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams, and even something as basic as heated seats. Ensuring its future vehicles have an edge over rivals, BMW engineers have developed a new computer system that’s reportedly 10 times faster and even helps improve electric vehicle efficiency by a whopping 25 percent.
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A Heart Of Gold Joy
On February 16, the Munich Germany-based automaker announced its new Vision Driving Experience high-performance development vehicle. A science experiment on wheels, this car is not destined for production — rather, it’s a rolling test bed used to evaluate technology that will be featured in BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles.
The secret sauce here is that engineers have consolidated a range of vehicle control systems into one unit, something they call the Heart of Joy. Running BMW’s proprietary Dynamic Performance Control software, Heart of Joy manages a vehicle’s drivetrain and dynamics-related systems. Acceleration, braking, stability, steering, and charging management are all handled by this central control unit, which was 100 percent developed in-house by BMW. The advantage of this design is speed, with processing performance being 10 times faster than conventional systems. Working together, the centralized computer can communicate with sensors and actuators almost instantly, with latency in the millisecond range.
“The Heart of Joy enables us to take driving pleasure not just to the next level, but another one beyond that,” said Frank Weber, a member of the board of management of BMW in a media release shared by the automaker. “In addition, we are further increasing efficiency, and therefore boosting range, as in [the] future the driver will brake almost exclusively using energy regeneration.”
“These high-performance computers cleverly combine various elements that previously ran separately,” the automaker stated. “BMW developed the Heart of Joy superbrain … It allows four important control units to be brought together within a single high-performance computer.”
Heart of Joy works in conjunction with three other so-called “superbrains.” These computer systems handle separate, non-dynamic vehicle functions including automated driving features, the infotainment system, and other items like the climate control system and exterior lighting.
Benefits You Can Feel
Dramatically improved processing speed should make future BMWs even more enjoyable to drive. Expect the handling to be more precise and consistent, with fewer course corrections required while trying to maintain the desired line through a corner. According to BMW, the steering feel should also be smoother.
Improved efficiency is another huge benefit provided by the Heart of Joy. Owners of vehicles equipped with this computer system will never have to use the friction brakes in normal, everyday driving. Those conventional binders will only be necessary in emergency situations because this system maximizes regenerative braking, which is how Heart of Joy can increase the efficiency of an EV by up to 25 percent, a staggering amount.
Neue Klasse Is Coming Soon
All this computerized goodness will be included in every one of BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse products. The first model in this vehicle family is expected to enter production later this year, rolling off the assembly line at the company’s factory in Debrecen, Hungary.
BMW is making a lot of bold claims here, but faster processing speeds and improved efficiency are hard to argue with. Hopefully, the automaker will deliver on all these promises.