BMW Speed Limit Display a car that can read speed signs
August 4, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
We suspect the first thing most would say is, why did it take so long? We’ve all seen the technology shown on numerous gadget shows and websites over the last 5 years, but finally, one manufacturer it actually putting it to use.
BMW’s upcoming 7-series will have the ability to reads speed limit signposts and variable speed limit signs, informing the driver via the head-up display and the instrument cluster.
The idea is to stop the annoying “Did you know what the speed limit here is Sir” questions from angry police officers. The technology will be most useful on roads which may have several different speed zones, or variable speed limits depending on traffic flows.
“The new BMW Speed Limit Display will significantly reduce the risk of drivers exceeding the speed limit by mistake, especially on roads with multiple speed zones,” says Tom Noble, General Manager Marketing, BMW Group Australia.
How does it work? A camera is mounted near the interior mirror looking outwards towards all the speed signs, capable of reading painted metal signs as well as dynamic digital displays.
Once the speed sign if read, the car then compares the results to the data saved in the navigation system. If the speed limits don’t match, due to temporary conditions such as roadworks, the system will priority to the data recorded by the camera.
BMW is adamant to make it clear that whilst the technology will inform the driver of the correct speed limit, it is simply just that, an information system. The system will not force the driver to maintain the speed limit.
Surprisingly, arch rival Mercedes-Benz is yet to officially announce a similar concept. Perhaps, in 2009, the new BMW 7 Series will be the car setting future trends in the automotive sector.
The Beamer will be the first production car available with Speed Limit Display when it goes on sale in Europe by early next year.
BMW Australia will release more information on the system and its compatibility with Australian roads closer to the local arrival of the new BMW 7 Series next year.
Click through to read more about the 2009 BMW 7-series.
Print it: 
Why don’t they just link it in with GPS. I mean, GPS can tell you the street name, so why not speed limits?
Electronic tags in the bitumen or overhead can easily interface with a car’s computer, and prevent the speed limit being exceeded. They can use tags to take money, so a small expansion of the functionality could be progressively introduced with all new cars.
But a simple move like that would kill revenue, wouldn’t it.
This is hardly news. That technology is already an advertised feature of Vauxhall’s upcoming Insignia (a car that will start at less than 16,000 pounds in the UK), and will be available in the Insignia from next year. And BMW have only just announced it for the 7 series??? Big deal. Another example of innovations in cheap cars making a laughing stock of the (supposed) technological giants (how long did it take BMW, Merc, Audi etc to make their sounds systems MP3/ipod compatible?). And once this speed sign reading device trickles down to BMW’s other models, I wonder how expensive the option will be?
“We suspect the first thing most would say is, why did it take so long? ”
Yes, CA, why did it take you so long to read about it ?…
Opel announced it for the Insignia back in June.
This sounds of a reworded press release with zero research done.
Poor effort Car Advice…
I wonder how it would work with some dumb road workers who put two speed limit signs either side of the road, like here in WA on the kwinana freeway, there was road works and there was a 60 and 80 sign on either side…. perhaps add them together?
I’m all for technology but not in dumb areas like this one. I can drive and I can read, why the hell do I want the car to read street signs for me? By the way I’m a driver with 1 point left on his licence due to many inadvertant speeding infringements of late yet I still hate this idea. Just a gimmick for me.
“The Beamer will be the first production car available with Speed Limit Display….”
FYI….
“Beamer” = BMW Motorbike
“Bimmer” = BMW Automobile
Didn’t know motorbikes have speed limit display lol…just kidding.
Wonder how this will work with out (UK) signage. We have a ‘national’ speed limit sign a diagonal black stripe on a white background. This has speed limits depending of the type ot catagory of road either 50. 60 or 70mph with no repeaters often. Waste of time or money