Today BMWUSA announced that all 2007 Navigation systems in the US market would have real time traffic data integrated into maps. But what about MINI you ask? We’ve learned from several sources that MINI intends to roll-out this same functionality in the Spring of 2007 to all R56 navigation systems. For MINI owners in large cities, this will undoubtedly make the Navigation option much more attractive. Here’s the full BMW press release:
BMW ADDS REAL TIME TRAFFIC INFORMATION TO ITS NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Navigation Systems In Select 2007 BMWs Enhanced With Traffic and Rerouting Information For Major Metropolitan Areas Across The U.S.ÂÂÂ
New Benefit Added At No Additional Monthly Cost To CustomerÂÂÂ
Underscoring its commitment to delivering industry-leading service, technology, and innovation, BMW today announced the availability of Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI). This new premium service feature will offer timely traffic information and for the first time on any production vehicle sold in the United States, dynamic rerouting on navigation systems in select 2007 BMW models, ie. the X5, M5, M6, and the 3, 5, and 6 Series models. Set to launch this September, RTTI represents the company’s latest addition to its list of premium consumer features and benefits.ÂÂÂ
“As an independent company deeply rooted in innovation, we are extremely excited to add RTTI to our robust suite of offerings,” said Alan Harris, Vice President of Aftersales for BMW of North America. “At no recurring cost to the customer, RTTI transforms the navigation system from an option that is mainly used only when customers are lost or going to an unknown destination, to a daily benefit that helps them reach their destinations more efficiently and effortlessly than ever before. We will continue to seek groundbreaking ideas, technologies and features that give drivers peace of mind and improve the daily driving experience.”ÂÂÂ
Unlike other automobile manufacturers that charge a recurring monthly fee for RTTI, or require customers to pay for an additional satellite radio service, BMW has included RTTI as part of the cost of the navigation system for select 2007 BMW models. There are no activation fees or recurring monthly charges to BMW customers for 4 years.ÂÂÂ
BMW’s new RTTI service will be available in as many as 44 major metropolitan markets through Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network, Clear Channel Radio’s award-winning programming and technology service that delivers Real Time Traffic Information directly to vehicles over its extensive network of FM radio stations.ÂÂÂ
With the help of Clear Channel’s broadcast network, customers no longer have to search for traffic reports on radio stations to be in-the-know about traffic situations. Up-to-date traffic information is compiled from a variety of sources including FM radio stations, highway-embedded sensors, video monitors on bridges and roadways, and local traffic monitoring centers. Traffic data is then streamed to a dedicated tuner in the car’s radio and transferred directly to the navigation system. So customers can receive traffic updates from a variety of stations, 24 hours a day, seven days a week-even when the radio is turned off or when the customer is listening to other entertainment sources such as a CD or iPod. The navigation system calculates the best route considering the traffic incidents and potential delays. In addition to alerting the driver to where the traffic is, if the delay is calculated to be more than 5 minutes then the navigation system will offer alternative routes around the congestion, either automatically or at the choice of the driver.
BMW-A Company of Ideas
BMW has a unique corporate culture which puts a premium on constant innovation and inspiration. This is reflected in projects like BMW CleanEnergy, BMW’s commitment to a sustainable future for mobility using renewable hydrogen fuel, BMW Design, which sets trends in interior and exterior styling, and the award-winning BMW FILMS. BMW believes there is nothing more rewarding than helping great ideas live on.ÂÂÂ
Yet something else to pay a $30/mo or more fee for. Nothing comes for free. My current portable GPS offers this feature… for a price. :-((
But still no 3D view. And the nav is still prohibitively overpriced.
<blockquote>Yet something else to pay a $30/mo or more fee for. Nothing comes for free. </blockquote>
Actually, there is no activation charge and no monthly fees for the first four years with the BMW Nav traffic functionality. I just bolded that part of the press release above to make it more clear.
Nice feature, and free for 4 years. But after that, I’d be in a dilemma about sending money to the evil empire (Clear Channel).
This will help out in places like LA, but i’m curious what the coverage is for smaller cities like Santa Barbara? any idea where i can look up the coverage areas?
…yet another reason why I intend to get a ’07 MINI MC. However,from all the new,”goodies”/options,I’ve read…I think I will make my new MINI more of an high-tech center for my driving/music/comfort needs as opposed to making it a speed demon…been there;done that…but,hey…to each his own…
I wish for that feature everday I am stuck in traffic. I only work 25 miles from my office, buts its downtown, and its always a mess. I might actually get the nav this time.
I just spotted the BMW Nav change on another auto website and thought I’d pop over here and let Gabe know about it. I should have known that it was already posted… Motoringfile ROCKS!
If I ever replace my ’06, this feature just might entice me into ordering the Nav!
So, will this traffic feature be a software feature that can be activated on R56 models sold before spring 07, or is a hardware change that is occurring after a certain date that occurs in spring 07?
Colin, here’s the coverage map:
<a href="http://realtimetraffic.net/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://realtimetraffic.net/</a>
so for those who lease their BMWs, will they ever have to see the monthly charge? no right?
I still want my 06! Can this replace my current nav?
I have the same question as Patrick above – Will it retrofit into R56 models delivered/built prior to Spring of ’07? If so, I might spring for the Nav…
>I have the same question as Patrick above – Will it retrofit into R56 models delivered/built prior to Spring of ‘07? If so, I might spring for the Nav…
Highly unlikely.
>I still want my 06! Can this replace my current nav?
No.
I love my Nav and it did help out in a big way on MTTS. A traffic option would be worth it to me… it all comes down to how much you value your time (this is why the companies feel comfortable charging for the service). At $30 a month it is worth it for me to shave off a couple hours of seat time a month (based on my hourly wage*Hours in traffic). I just hope there is a retrofit, if there is, I would definately buy it for both our MINIs.
<blockquote>I just hope there is a retrofit, if there is, I would definately buy it for both our MINIs.</blockquote>
Since this feature requires hardware within the radio, any retrofit would also require a head unit change out as well. From what I’ve seen, there is no way an 07 head unit can be retro fitted to a prior model, thus Mini would need to develop a new head unit for the previous models. This seems most unlikely.
A retrofit for the early 07s may be possible but could be expensive if it requires much hardware replacement.
Phil
Hmmn, iDrive and now Traffic Information. It may make up for it.
Will this update be included in the 07 and 08 convertables? seeing how the nav was reported to not change in them due to the body style not changing….is this true?
Real-time traffic information is already included with BMW (& MINI?) navigation systems sold in Europe. And has been for several years. I believe the hardware/software sold in European based vehicles is the same as what they sell over in the United States. It’s just that this feature is disabled in the United States. But maybe there’s some sort of hardware add-on (receiver?) that the exclude from U.S. bound vehicles. Maybe we can purchase any such add-on to make our pre-07 vehicles with navigation activate this feature?
Sorry, Joel…
“At $30 a month it is worth it for me to shave off a couple hours of seat time a month (based on my hourly wage*Hours in traffic).”
…but you forgot to adjust for the psychological cost of spending less time in your MINI. The actual formula is more like this:
Net Cost = Capitalized cost of NAV + monthly rental – lost wages + fun value of extra time spent driving MINI.