With the Remote Software Upgrade feature, customers would also be able to add digital services at a later date.
Depending on their car’s specification, customers will be able to use Remote Software Upgrade to activate additional functions seamlessly and conveniently from their home, via smartphone or inside the car itself.
The additional functions of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant can be activated for models such as the new X5, 3 Series and 8 Series, which all use the latest BMW Operating System.
Future software upgrades would regularly expand and improve the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant’s skills. These cyclical updates are free and include software adaptations and function extensions.
More car makers are starting to follow Tesla's lead in introducing such upgrades remotely because it is convenient and saves them money. However, such practices if not implemented properly and securely may lead to electronic glitches or safety issues if there is an upgrade failure or hacking during the deployment. At the same time, car makers need to educate customers on how the upgrades would alter the car's behaviour or operations, if at all.
