[grimluster]

**I'm not sure if this has been covered or not yet, if so please just point me to a thread. In addition, I want to say upfront that I'm not advocating for the circumvention of safety features.**

BMW's driving assistance allows for hands free steering and lane keep. However, you must apply force to the steering wheel every few seconds to reset the timer. This can be annoying and I'm interesting in finding a way around it.

Here is an example of doing it with a Tesla:

And here is an example with a Mercedes:

Any thoughts on an easy and low profile way to do this with a BMW?

This is purely academic so please share any creative ideas you come up with or you've seen.

[thereef510]

Even if you could avoid touching the steering wheel, the bmw is unique I think in that it has that camera to watch your eyes to make sure you're paying attention. I don't think the other cars have that so circumventing the wheel wouldn't do much I don't think?

[Caramel]

Originally Posted by grimluster

I want to say upfront that I'm not advocating for the circumvention of safety features.

By starting this thread, you are.

[Unit]

Stupid idea verging on outright moronic. This is exactly why despite the apparent virtues some "safety" and convenience features are a stealth hazard in the wrong hands.

[Sirksael]

from a pure technology point of view it can be an interesting discussion, my dealer has told me that it doesn't work any more with force applied to the wheel but rather some form of "touch sensor".
Any info on this?

p.s. Never do this indeed. The technology is not yet there, simple as that. it is not different from taking an 80's car and letting go of the steering wheel in terms of potential consequences.

[Addbuyer]

I don't have this on my car. I was given a loaner 7 Series that had it and I must admit I was fascinated with how it works. It was intrigued to see if i could fool the system into driving on its own so i could get in the back and have a sleep
Seriously though, you have all tried this, you can only let go of the wheel for about 5 seconds before you get a warning to replace your hands. I found that just a very light touch with one finger and a thumb was enough to prevent the warning so it does provide a very relaxed way of driving if that's your thing. Its not something I would spec as I cant see me ever using it, I never used the full cream cruise control either. It doesn't weave in and out the lanes as well as i can do it

[c_hri_s]

Works well if you rest your knee against the wheel (allegedly)

[Timmer-Bimmer]

In my experience, I would agree that it is a touch sensor (not a force sensor) coupled with a camera monitoring your attention.

I found it annoying to have to raise my hands to touch the wheel every 5 to 10 seconds. However, I found that it works great to hold the steering wheel very lightly with one or both hands as if you are grasping something fragile, like a bird's egg. By grasping the wheel in this way, you can instantly tighten your grip to take over in an emergency, and you avoid the cycle of having to monitor the yellow light and reach with your hands. One hand works. Two hands is probably safer and should be the default. You could have your hands resting on your knees and grasping the steering wheel at 7PM and 5PM, and that seems to work fine. I keep my grip very light so it does not interfere with the car's steering.

You will still get a yellow if the system finds the lane markings ambiguous, and in this method, you are already in a position to take over.

[Aimster82]

Use your knees. That's what I do

[Alan l.]

This isn't a Tesla and even if i were i wouldn't trust any system to drive me and my family. There's enough reports here about how the system would wonder to the edge of the lanes to make me not use it. In bumper to bumper traffic sure i might try it but not if I'm going 70 where a split second movement could be fatal.

Alan

[VTENGR]

I know I don't use this system as much as others, but honestly, how hard is it to rest your hand on the wheel? They have to go somewhere anyway. It's not more comfortable to rest them on my thighs (kind of awkward to sit that way anyway) then it is to rest my hand on the bottom of the wheel.

[Pictor]

I believe the BMW steering wheel uses a capacitive sensor and it's not based on force.

[nosnoop]

BMW uses IEE HOD (Hands Off Detection system):

You simply need to hook one or two fingers at the bottom of the steering wheel to satisfy the sensor.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

BMW uses IEE HOD (Hands Off Detection system):

You simply need to hook one or two fingers at the bottom of the steering wheel to satisfy the sensor.

As limited as that video is, that's the best description of the technology I've seen so far. As expected, it does appear to be differential capacitance sensor and it does appear to do self-calibration signal processing to filter out multiple non-touch related environmental interferences. Very cool.

But I wish the music didn't "accidentally" ramp up right at the point of critical technology description statement at 1:59 in the video: the ASIC measures "... between sense and ??what??" Ugh. I can probably look up patents ...

[grimluster]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

BMW uses IEE HOD (Hands Off Detection system):

You simply need to hook one or two fingers at the bottom of the steering wheel to satisfy the sensor.

This is a great video. Going to spend some time trying to beat it. I'll report what I come up with...

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Timmer-Bimmer

In my experience, I would agree that it is a touch sensor (not a force sensor) coupled with a camera monitoring your attention.

The camera does not come into play when using ACC unless you are stopped at a light or in mode 3, extended Traffic Jam Assist.

[ifr]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

The camera does not come into play when using ACC unless you are stopped at a light or in mode 3, extended Traffic Jam Assist.

That used to be the case, but It does use it on later istep/MY.

Mine constantly moans about me covering the DAC. This is normal assist at any speed, and with hands on at the time. I know this as it complains when I have my hands on the wheel at 12 o clock. PITA

[MGDisco]

Originally Posted by LexxM3

As limited as that video is, that's the best description of the technology I've seen so far. As expected, it does appear to be differential capacitance sensor and it does appear to do self-calibration signal processing to filter out multiple non-touch related environmental interferences. Very cool.

But I wish the music didn't "accidentally" ramp up right at the point of critical technology description statement at 1:59 in the video: the ASIC measures "... between sense and ??what??" Ugh. I can probably look up patents ...

The bit you couldn't pick out in the audio is "... and the car body". Doe this mean it must use another point in the car as the feedback route? And thus allowing a single touch to be enough to alert the system that you are touching the wheel?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by ifr

That used to be the case, but It does use it on later istep/MY.

Mine constantly moans about me covering the DAC. This is normal assist at any speed, and with hands on at the time. I know this as it complains when I have my hands on the wheel at 12 o clock. PITA

Do you think that is standard or a by-product of all of the coding you have done?

[ifr]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Do you think that is standard or a by-product of all of the coding you have done?

Think it's standard but only on MY 21 (or coded)

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by ifr

Think it's standard but only on MY 21 (or coded)

Yet another reason to stick to 11/2019.xx — I think the amount of assist overwatch I get now is perfect. If new software is more intrusive, it will drastically reduce the enjoyment and stress reduction of the assist, possibly rendering it practically useless for me. These are pretty big deals. Wish those changes were formally and precisely documented somewhere before updates ...

[ifr]

Originally Posted by LexxM3

Yet another reason to stick to 11/2019.xx — I think the amount of assist overwatch I get now is perfect. If new software is more intrusive, it will drastically reduce the enjoyment and stress reduction of the assist, possibly rendering it practically useless for me. These are pretty big deals. Wish those changes were formally and precisely documented somewhere before updates ...

You don't have a MY 21 and doesn't sound like you'll be coding it, so shouldn't be an issue.

Think about this- by ensuring the driver is attentive wouldn't this allow BMW to unlock more assist capabilities?

It's annoying but I've modified my behaviour, mostly.