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WATCH: BMW's new 3 Series debuts new in-car tech

BMW's seventh-generation 3 Series debuts newer tech from its ConnectedDrive system. Incorporated into that is the Intelligent Personal Assistant.

From March 2019, drivers and passengers will be joined by an intelligent, digital character that responds to the prompt "Hey BMW".

"Hey BMW" 

This will mark the start of a new era for the BMW Group in which drivers will increasingly be able to operate their car and access its functions and information simply by speaking.

The personal assistant will also be able to assist the driver outside their vehicle, whether it’s at home with the help of a smart speaker or out and about via smartphone.

Watch: We get up close and personal with BMW's personal assistant 

The personal assistant’s capabilities are developing all the time courtesy of BMW’s Open Mobility Cloud and the use of artificial intelligence. The range of functions and skills available will be constantly expanded as part of regular updates, which can be carried out seamlessly on a smartphone and in-car by Remote Software Upgrade.

“BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant teams up with the new operating system 7.0 to create a brand new, digital form of interaction with the customer’s BMW that redefines the whole driving experience,” says Dieter May, Senior Vice President Digital Products BMW Group.

Available from March 2019

The Intelligent Personal Assistant will be available in a basic version with voice control in 23 languages and markets from March 2019.

In the USA, Germany, UK, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Brazil, Japan and (from May 2019) China, the Intelligent Personal Assistant will also feature more natural voice control along with further intelligent functions.

The personal assistant will be offered for models featuring the new BMW Operating System 7.0 and as part of the Live Cockpit Professional (6U3). The scope of functions can be extended with the Connected Package Professional.

The personal assistant will be available to order for the new 3 Series from November 2018 and will be included for three years.

From March 2019, new BMW X5, Z4 and 8 Series models fitted with the BMW Operating System 7.0 will be able to install the full version of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant by Remote Software Upgrade without having to visit a dealer.

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