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Driver Assistance Systems (DAS) like e.g. distance control systems are more and more evolving in a variety of cars, and the goal is mainly to support the driver in his driving task in order to improve convenience. The strategic approach to DAS at BMW is outlined and resulting system functions are explained. The paper shows the specific design and implementation of systems that interact with the vehicle dynamics on the same level as the driver. Special emphasis is given to their interaction with the driver. Therefore the Human Machine Interaction is one of the focus points within the development process. BMW ensures the mode awareness of the driver by presenting the relevant information in optimized displays within the vehicle.

Already established driver assistance systems like Cruise Control or Adaptive Cruise Control are based on the delegation of a part of the driving task to the system. Instead of keeping a suitable speed the driver is just monitoring the correct function of the assistance system. In situations when the system is fulfilling the task in a way the driver doesn't accept she / he has to deactivate it. Adding a new input element the driver gains the possibility to create additional inputs in terms of acceleration or deceleration to the assistance system. This allows the driver to modify the system behavior in different driving situations without deactivating the system. The relationship between driver and system shifts from “delegation” to “co-operation”. This paper explains principal aspects of the technical realization and presents the results of a study regarding the first contact of subjects with an enhanced Adaptive Cruise Control.