Where Are BMW Maps?

Why do car brands like BMW and Audi, among others, not use google maps?

• Answer:

  They do, to a degree. Audi's MMI integrates Google Earth maps with the car's database of maps when you have good internet connectivity, and when you don't, the systems rely upon the database and whatever is stored in memory from your last internet connection: Google Earth, while you drive Once inside the S5, the Google map-based navigation system captured my attention. Although using a smaller LCD than in the A7, where I first saw this feature, it was still completely engaging to see a satellite image of the road on which I was currently driving. Audi highlights the roads on the imagery so as to distinguish them from the photographic cacophony of buildings and landscape; traffic flow and incident icons are shown as well. These satellite maps come to the car through a live 3G connection. While driving around areas with no data service, I noticed that the maps lost some detail, but never entirely faded out. The car also comes with a complete set of standard navigation maps. (http://reviews.cnet.com/coupe-hatchback/2013-audi-s5/4505-10867_7-35446285.html) Real satellite navigation The fold-out LCD in the dashboard shows off the tech star of the S7, Google Earth maps integrated with the navigation system. Although I have seen it repeatedly over the last couple of years in different Audi models, my geek guts still experience a thrill watching the car travel through satellite imagery of my surroundings. Seeing the skyscrapers of downtown San Francisco or the spectacular cliffs of the coast roll by on the S7's screen was just cool. A recent addition to Audi's navigation system is the incorporation of Street View. When I browsed the map and zoomed in, it brought up a street-level image of the surrounding storefronts. On reaching a programmed destination, the LCD showed a little Street View image of the location on the map. Street View, integrated with the navigation system, lets you see destinations on the S7's LCD. (Credit: Josh Miller/CNET) That imagery comes courtesy of a dedicated 3G data connection into the car, something owners will have to pay a monthly fee for after a six-month complimentary period. Audi also used the data connection in the S7 to enable Google local search, a feature I greatly appreciate, along with apps for weather and fuel prices. However, Audi has not yet worked out a scheme to incorporate popular third-party apps, such as Pandora, Yelp, Twitter, or Facebook. Behind the vibrant Google Earth imagery, Audi keeps a set of stored maps in the car, more typical graphic representations of the roads in plan and perspective views. Those maps include 3D renderings of buildings in downtown areas. (http://reviews.cnet.com/sedan/2013-audi-s7/4505-10865_7-35636059.html) In the case of BMW, http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/navigation_system.html services include http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/navigation_system.html (e.g for more efficient maintenance and prompt help in emergencies) or ConnectedDrive Services (e.g. for perfect mobility wherever you are). The driver can plan his route at home with Google Maps and then use Send to Car by ConnectedDrive Services to send the results to the navigation system. (http://Link) If the question is why BMW and Audi don't use Google Maps to the degree that Tesla does, it's because their nav systems began developing when database maps on disks were the only viable technology, while Tesla developed its system within the last decade, and their cars are used all over the world, where internet connectivity varies tremendously, while Tesla knew it would be marketing primarily to the American coasts at first, where connectivity is more reliable.