BMW’s Electric Vehicles to Get a Significant Boost
BMW promises that its electric vehicles will have 30% more autonomy and a 30% faster load. This is made possible by the company’s new black box, called the Heart of Joy, which serves as a brain for its next EV models. The Heart of Joy represents an interesting future for the German brand, which still wants to be known as the “definitive driving machine” in the electrified future.
The new ECU combines the propulsion system and driving dynamics in a small black box, controlling acceleration, braking, vehicle stabilization, steering functions, and loading. It’s “ten times faster” than its previous system, allowing for minimized latencies and taking advantage of the potential for managing the powerful electric motor. Unlike conventional systems, which work with separate control algorithms for the propulsion and brakes system, the Heart of Joy combines both in a single unit.
BMW developed the ECU Heart of Joy entirely in-house. It consists of four high-performance computers fused into a single unit, responsible for automated driving, infotainment, and basic functions such as climate control, lighting, and access to the car. This new technology enables the company to innovate and push the boundaries of electric vehicle performance.
The Benefits of the Heart of Joy
Having a system that works ten times faster offers significant advantages, especially in terms of performance and driving dynamics. This can be experienced on both racing circuits and secondary roads with curves and demanding conditions. The driving experience also offers a more analog and natural sensation. Additionally, the braking regeneration and energy recovery increase efficiency by up to 25%. The Heart of Joy will also bring improvements in ADAS (driver assistance for autonomous driving) with enhanced security and driving behaviors.
Launch and Testing
The new central computer, which combines the functions of driving and dynamics in a single and powerful unit, will be subjected to final resistance testing in a unique high-performance test bench called the BMW Vision Driving Experience. Although the test bench is not intended for serial production, its black box will benefit all fully electric vehicles of the Neue Klasse. The BMW Vision test vehicle begins on April 25, and the first model of the Neue Klasse EV line of BMW will enter serial production at the end of this year at its Debrecen plant in Hungary.