BMW South Africa (SA) has launched a new suite of technology that promises its customers improved and wider in-car connectivity, starting in July.

The car has become an extension of the home and office, and ConnectedDrive is proof of this fact.

ConnectedDrive consists of a range of technologies and apps that keeps BMW drivers connected to “what and whom they love”, says BMW SA group communications and public affairs GM Guy Kilfoil.

“Time in the car is dead time. If you can use that time to do other things . . . to organise your life . . . it will make your life easier.”

The launch of the new ConnectedDrive has two aspects.

The first is the ConnectedDrive store, which will only be available locally from July next year, says BMW SA group automotive communications manager Edward Makwana.

This store will allow BMW drivers to browse and purchase the portfolio of apps they want, such as real-time traffic information.

The customer’s preferred payment method will be stored online.

“This means the vehicle will always be up to date, through its entire lifecycle,” says Makwana. “Everything is possible, nothing is obligatory.”

The second aspect of ConnectedDrive revolves around seven services, which can be made available on all BMWs ordered – not delivered – in South Africa from July onwards.

The first is Intelligence Emergency Call, which automatically dials a call centre in Berlin, Germany, which then, in turn, calls the emergency services when the vehicle is in an accident.

The driver can also make the call manually, via an emergency button inside the vehicle.

This service delivers certain information automatically to Germany, such as chassis number, GPS location, and the type of accident, such as ‘side impact’.

Teleservices ensure that BMW remotely monitors any vehicle’s service requirements, reminding the driver of any forthcoming service dates.

Remote services allow the driver to stay in touch with his of her BMW via a smartphone.

The driver can, for example, remotely lock and unlock the car, heat or cool it prior to getting in, or operate the hooter.

Forgotten where you parked your BMW? You can flash the lights, finding it in the parking lot.

Remote services can be purchased (R650), or are standard on more upmarket models – which is the case with the many of ConnectedDrive services.

Real-time traffic information informs the driver about the current traffic situation.

The fifth service offers a variety of online and office functionalities in the car, such as Twitter, Facebook, the news, global radio listening, searches, and message dictation.

This is possible through the use of an embedded Vodafone sim card in the car. This sim card operates on an international data-roaming contract, inaccessible to the driver.

The sixth available service is the Internet, available inside the vehicle without the use of a second device, such as a smartphone, says Makwana.

In order to curb costs, however, video streaming is not allowed.

Of course, the use of a sim card means: no cellphone coverage, no ConnectedDrive Internet.

This service is an option available at R1 300 a year (or standard on more upmarket models), with no costs for the sim card’s use.

“There is no monthly fee on the sim card,” says Kilfoil.

The seventh service available in the suite of products is the BMW concierge.

Simply make a call, and the concierge – a real person on the other end of the line – will find a restaurant, make a booking, and also push directions to the car’s navigation system, for example.

ConnectedDrive is a game changer for the automotive industry, says Vodacom SA machine-to-machine and vertical industries executive head Tony Smallwood.

Vodafone owns the majority share in Vodacom SA.

“Vodacom has taken a strategic view on machine to machine technologies and solutions. Our ambition is to connect every machine.”

Smallwood says the transition in in-car connected technology from “extra” to “expected” will most likely happen in the next two years.