Interview Rudolf Bencker, Senior Vice President Inventions and Innovations Management, powertrain
BMW has steadily grown its sales of battery-electric vehicles but stands by its Policy of powertrain technology openness. We spoke to Rudolf Bencker, Senior Vice President Inventions and Innovations Management, about the company’s powertrain and digitization strategies, starting from early research.
BMW’s so-called „Technology Trend Radar“ monitors trends that extend beyond automotive technology. How does this affect automotive development?
Let me begin with the early innovation phase of development. Our global tech offices are continuously scouting for upcoming tech trends. Those Tech Offices are basically sensors that help us understand new developments in different regions and all the relevant tech hotspots. We have Tech Offices in Shanghai, for example, in Seoul, Silicon Valley, and even Israel in the field of cybersecurity. We want to see what’s trending and how that might be relevant to our business model. So, besides technology, that means social trends as well. On top, we regularly publish the Technology Trend Radar, making our Knowledge accessible to everyone. This helps us engage with other players, such as scientific institutions or startups, or perhaps initiate collaborations.
Could you give an example of this kind of cooperation?
Our cooperation with Toyota on fuel cells is a good example. For us, it adds another option for customers who need to cover long distances with minimum downtime, meaning they can’t stop to recharge. So, it’s a meaningful supplement for battery-electric mobility. BMW still stands for technological openness. That’s why, besides BEVs, we will also offer customers PHEVs, combustion engines, and FCEVs in the future, depending on what makes sense in the specific context. None of us has a crystal ball. And given the volatility we’re currently experiencing and the large number of different regions, we need flexibility – flexibility for our customers and flexibility within our company. For example, we can build a BEV, followed by a petrol-engine vehicle, on the same production line, and we’re doing this with the actual 5 and 7 Series.
You haven’t mentioned EREVs, which are commonplace in China. Could they be a possibility for BMW in Europe, too?
China boasts a strong charging infrastructure, though it remains limited in rural areas, particularly during holiday travel. A similar situation exists in Europe. The BMW Group is committed to technological openness, including the promotion of PHEVs in Europe. The appropriate range for PHEVs is a nuanced discussion centered on cost-effectiveness. There is a balance to strike between transitioning to a BEV with a larger battery and the practicality of PHEVs. Our PHEVs, with a range of approximately 100 kilometers, align well with customer expectations regarding price. It‘s important to note that a more extended range requires a bigger battery, which can complicate financial viability when combined with a combustion engine. Currently, our PHEV offerings, particularly the X5, remain popular, consistently selling around 200,000 units annually. We are pleased with our position in this segment, and the „Neue Klasse” will further improve charging speed and range.
Digitalization and generative AI are also taking off. What opportunities do you see for harnessing these tools in vehicle development and in the vehicles themselves?
Product development and generative AI fundamentally share a similar approach. Both aim to generate data – whether AI produces texts, images, software, 3D models, or CAD data – faster, more creatively, and more efficiently. Potential use cases include early-stage crash simulations, accelerating design and construction processes. Some of these applications are already in place, and AI has the potential to digitalize our entire company workflow. Additionally, AI can enhance drive functions, battery management, and autonomous driving, enabling vehicles to learn innovatively. For instance, we showcased Car Expert at last year’s CES, an advanced companion powered by large language models. Car Expert interacts with drivers and passengers in natural, everyday language, providing a more intelligent and Pleasant experience, ultimately helping us create the perfect companion for our customers.
AI also requires additional computing power, whether in the car or the cloud. So, what impact does in-car AI have on EE architecture and connectivity?
Processing data in the cloud and exchanging it with vehicles via the Internet is certainly feasible and essential for vehicle updates. However, timing is crucial; the data transfer must be swift due to the large data volume. Currently, 5G technology presents some limitations, as it can only support data Transfer to a certain extent. Therefore, we must determine which data should remain in the cloud and which can be processed directly within the vehicle using small language models. I think we’ll probably see edge devices designed for AI right there in the vehicle. These devices will function effectively even in Areas with limited network coverage, significantly reducing data traffic. Additionally, These localized, Specialized edge devices will be more efficient and capable of learning, enhancing overall performance.
Interview: Gernot Goppelt
