What do you like most about the new
working method?
The agile working method is based, among
other things, on the principle of ongoing
improvements for both products and
methods. For example, the teams convene
for a ‘sprint review’ at the end of each
sprint. They present their results to all the
employees in a kind of marketplace. This
means that when they plan the next sprint
afterwards, consideration can also be given
to issues arising at short notice as a top
priority. Then there is the ‘retrospective’,
when the teams share observations from
the last sprint and work together to identify
measures for improvements in the next
sprint. The beauty of it all is that these
regular exchanges put the developers in
a position where they can make decisions
themselves, which is crucial not only for
product advancement, but for this style of
teamwork as well. Hierarchical delegation
becomes a thing of the past as a result, while
knowledge is scaled to maximum effect and
made available to everyone. That’s how you
develop for the future.
What are the next development steps
towards autonomous driving at the BMW
Group?
With the Campus, the switch to the LeSS
working method and our organisational
structure, we have created a solid basis for
mastering the complexity of the task. This
enables us to establish new key technologies
such as artificial intelligence and simulation
as the focus of development. We are also
gradually expanding our fleet of vehicles.
Currently we have 80 vehicles operating in
Europe, the USA and China. The aim with
these measures is to validate our highly and
fully automated driving technology and to
carry out the transition from demonstrator
development to production development.
How will customers benefit?
In 2021, we will be offering customers a
perfected system in the BMW iNEXT that adds
noticeable value to the vehicle experience.
Highly and fully automated driving will give
our customers back one of the most precious
commodities of all: time. The optional
“Highway Pilot” will allow customers to drive
on the motorway from Munich to Hamburg,
for example, at speeds of up to 130 km/h (81
mph) and spend the time doing other things,
such as reading a newspaper or just enjoying
the landscape. We will also be operating pilot
fleets with Level 4 technology based on the
BMW iNEXT in selected regions. Our motto is
always “safety first”. With the right technology,
the right technology partners and an agile
working model, automated driving will make
our roads safer for everyone. Our Campus
creates the basis for customer-centric
development. Thanks to the unique spirit
instilled by the Campus, we are changing the
face of personal mobility for our customers
and giving them back valuable time.
Finally, if you had to describe the Campus
with three hashtags, what would they
be? #EmbracingChange #Transformation
#GermanSiliconValley
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-
Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW
Group is the world’s leading premium
manufacturer of automobiles and
motorcycles and also provides
premium financial and mobility
services. The BMW Group production
network comprises 30 production and
assembly facilities in 14 countries; the
company has a global sales network in
more than 140 countries.
www.bmwgroup.com
Issue 37 PECM
65