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BMW Gets Green Light for ‘Hands-Off’ Highway Driving in Major First – Here’s How It Works

BMW became the first automaker to obtain approval under the new UN Regulation No. 171 for Driver Control Assistance Systems, enabling its Level 2 Motorway Assistant to be offered in a broader range of markets. The system, featured on the upcoming iX3 ‘Neue Klasse’, allows hands‑off driving up to 130 km/h, automatically maintaining speed, changing lanes and stopping at red lights while monitoring traffic for hazards. It integrates with BMW’s latest iDrive and a full‑width head‑up display, and will receive additional capabilities via over‑the‑air updates. The approval also paves the way for more advanced “eyes‑off” features across Europe.