BMW says it has finished real-world testing of a driver assistance system that can handle turns, roundabouts and right-of-way decisions in city traffic on its own. The automaker is targeting regulatory approval in early 2027, with a rollout that starts in Germany.

The system builds on BMW's existing City Assistant, which already stops and restarts the car at traffic lights in supported markets. The new version adds navigation-guided maneuvers. It stays classified as SAE Level 2, meaning the driver still has to watch the road.

BMW plans to roll the urban system out across Europe starting in 2027, with Germany first and other markets following gradually. Joachim Post, BMW AG's board member for development, said the goal is:

'a real improvement in driving comfort,' that supports drivers 'seamlessly along the navigation route, from motorways through country roads and into the city.'

The upgraded City Assistant relies on active route guidance through BMW's navigation system to anticipate what's coming. Once the car knows a turn, a roundabout or a merge is ahead, the software can handle the steering, braking and acceleration needed to get through it.

BMW calls the expanded feature suite Symbiotic Drive, built to support the driver. Drivers can still grab the wheel or hit the brakes whenever they want. The system yields control back immediately when they do.

Right-of-way situations are part of the package too, and they carry more weight in a city than on a highway. Unprotected left turns, four-way stops and shared intersections are exactly where driver assistance software from any brand tends to struggle.

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