BMW speed limit display begins local testing
June 26, 2009 by George Skentzos
Australia’s roads are notorious for being overcautious and under maintained with drivers forced to split their attention between the speed limit signs and the potholes.
Now BMW is one step closer to introducing variable speed limit sign identification technology into its Australian line-up with a small fleet of test vehicles taking to the roads over the next two months.
Local testing of the speed limit function will see the specially equipped 7 Series vehicles cover more than 5000 kilometres over a mix of urban, suburban and rural roads.
“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,” said BMW’s general manager of marketing, Tom Noble.
The system uses a camera fitted near the interior mirror to permanently monitor road signs as well as variable speed limit signs and compares this with the data saved in the navigation system.
The speed limit is then displayed to the driver in the instrument cluster, or in the head-up display on the car’s windscreen but does not intervene in the control of the vehicle or its speed in any way.
Both regular painted signs and variable electronic speed limits can be read by the system, meaning BMW drivers will have one less thing to worry about while negotiating Australian roads.
Print it: 
The Vauxhall Insignia can do that.
My $300 portable GPS has this feature except the camera to read the speed limit signs.
If you are not seeing speed signs but you are behind the wheel of a car, STOP. You are not driving, you are just in a seat being propelled forwards..
Although it is a great system, however we as drivers shouldn’t be relying on the system telling us to slow down at certain areas.
I wonder if its smart enough to handle additional variables on a certain speed limit zone.
Don’t get me wrong, we need: ABS, VSC & Airbags which are there just in case we make mistakes. And that mistake will not kill us. But if you are not paying attention to the basic things like speed limits, you deserve a ticket, to remind you to pay attention while driving.
Australian roads are generally well sign posted with regards to speed limits. I agree that if drivers need gadgets to inform them of the speed limits, they are either driving too fast, have problems with their eye sight or have problems staying alert. Either case, they are driving dangerously. Clearly, something needs to be done to prevent such a situation as technolgy can only do so much.
Nobody said drivers are to rely on this system, its just a handy back up if you happen to miss the speed limit sign, which DOES happen. Why does everyone on this site have to assume the worst?
i guess that would be a nice addition to BMW features. it’s the drivers’ choice to either make use of it or not. still it’s a good feature and possibly useful in the future.
99% of drivers exceed the posted speed anyway
I like this idea in a car. If I had a car with the system, I’d set it so that it audibly alerts me if I am over the speed limit. This would me less time spent looking at my speedo and more time spent looking out for other cars and kids who might run out on to the road.
But, I wonder how the system will handle those larger time-dependent school signs (the ones which specify a lower speed limit between certain hours of the day).
There is a school zone near me where as you approach a roundabout its 40k in school times, turn left and its 60k, drive 50mtrs and its a 40k school zone again…
I always understood that driving a car included paying attention to one’s speed, and abiding by it (after all isn’t it part of the signed agreement when obtaining one’s license?)and paying attention to the road and other traffic to negotiate going from A to B.
If you don’t read your instruments, how would you know when to fill up?
So what happens if the system becomes self aware and learns independently? Will it become rebellious and start reading all the signs? How will it react when it reads “No seat belt, no chance” Or “every K over is a killer”
Honestly how bad a driver would you have to be that you can not read the sings yourself? The operator of the car has been tested and deemed fit to be licensed to drive. If you are unable to fill the requirements or lack the ability then you should hand in your licence immediately.
I agree with SmokinR32. Missing signs does happen, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar place looking for someones house or business. Because you’re concentrating on looking for where you need to go and not concentrating on the speed limit signs can be missed. I know its happened to me on 1 or 2 occasions.
It would be a handy tool in NSW, with the way the RTA are constantly changing speed limits.
I’ll give you an example. Just out of town where i live (about 3k’s) theres a little village where the speed limit was changed recently.
As you headed into town the limits were 100 – 60 – 100 – 50. Now its 80 – 50 – 80 – 50. And they only gave people a weeks notice of the change. Luckily for me i happened to be out that way on that particular week, as i only go that way every 3 – 4 weeks on average.
Oh, and i have been reliably informed that the police are now a constant presence out there.
So its good to see the government isnt trying to take advantage of the poor motorists who didnt know about the changes…he says with tongue firmly planted in cheek ;)
The system was developed by Blaupunkt and will be available to all not just BMW owners in the near future. Blaupunkt’s new Travelpilot 700 utilizes speed sign recognition and video navigation overlay. Its handy for “temporary” speed signs thru road works. Click on the link to view the system demo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QxBlonVHnk
This reminds me of a youtube vid where Jeremy Clarkson tests a BMW that drives itself. If they added this feature then the car could ‘legally’ drive itself on public roads.
To the almighty awesome drivers that have never missed a speed limit sign I say this.
You have never driven in Queensland, or at all, or you are FULL OF BULLSH!T.
Hey I know, why not do away with signs alltogether and just use our mind-reading skills to work out what the speed limit should be this week.
Could have done with this last night…. as I was one of those unlucky ones to have missed a sign and a matter of seconds a blinding flash of light say goodbye to 3 points and however many dollars for another 3 years….
And agree with R32 and Allergic… anyone who pretends to think that you wont miss a sign… I hope you have an experience like mine from last night, I believe I am a very attentive driver and rider and have done several defensive advanced driving and riding courses, but I missed one sign at night and now I pay for another revenue raiser! Sometimes we all miss things and as a result I am now missing points and dollars.
This type of tech might have stopped that!
Feel for you Mat, speeding is not the same as going over the speed limit for a brief moment.
Did anyone see the cop show Sunday eve? The sad loser that had been caught lots of times drunk driving, and had even killed a poor young girl whilst drunk in the past, keeps drink driving but they dont jail the turd. So where is the justice ?