BMW gets the green light for hands-off driving features on its 7 Series

BMW just received its SAE Level 2 and Level 3 certification for certain hands-off ADAS features found in the 7 Series vehicles. Notably, this doesn't mean BMW earned a full Level 3 advanced driving assistance certificate from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), but it allows BMW to make certain "hands-off" functionalities available to the public.

For those unaware, Level 2 requires the driver to pay attention to the road at all times, even when some form of auto streering is active. Level 3, on the other hand, allows the driver to take their attention off the road completely. BMW got the approval for Level 3 last autumn at speeds up to 37 mph in Germany. So far, this is the only European country allowing autonomous driving. BMW calls its Level 3 system Personal Pilot.

The company also has a Level 2 Highway Assistant system allowing the driver to take their hands off the wheel at speeds up to 81 mph as the vehicle can steer and change lanes.

It's also important to note that Level 3 shifts the liability from the driver to the automaker, so manufacturers are careful with their steps toward fully autonomous driving.

One of the required updates to BMW's 7 Series vehicles required the company to revamp its UI design and make the distinction between the Level 2 Highway Assistant and Level 3 Personal Pilot functions abundantly clear to the user. The Level 2/Level 3 package costs €6,000 to 7 Series owners and will be made available via an OTA update in August.

Mercedes-Benz is the only other European manufacturer that has Level 3 Drive Pilot system and can do 90 km/h on some highways, admittedly with many limitations. The system got the nod in the US as well.

Via