With BMW's app, drivers can experience the fine dynamics of the vehicle through Hofmeister Kink-shaped roads throughout the US, according to The Manual.
(Photo : by Getty Images)
WUHAN, CHINA - JULY 14: (CHINA OUT) Attendees look around the at BMW of iX during 2022 Central China International Auto Show on July 14, 2022 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. More than 80 brands took part in the 2022 Central China International Auto Show which started on Thursday. According to local reports more than 30 domestic electric vehicle brands participated in the exhibition.
Wilhelm Hofmeister
Wilhelm Hofmeister was the chief of design of BMW from 1955 through 1970. He designed the BMW 3200 CS and the BMW 1500. Both were featured at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show. Each of these models carries Hofmeister's kink.
The Hofmeister Kink
So, what is the Hofmeister Kink? The distinct kink is BMW's proprietary representation of forwarding propulsion through the rear-wheel drive. It wraps around the baseline of the back-most pillar and framing the rear window and has been featured on every BMW since the appearance of its Neue Klasse models in 1961. Overall, the Hofmeister Kink has appeared on 105 BMW models.
Over the years, the Hofmeister Kink mostly preserved its traditional shape. However, with a larger and more diverse product lineup, the kink has gone through many iterations. Some models have evolved the shape of the Hofmeister kink, such as the Active Tourers, the GTs, the Gran Coupes, SAVs, and SACs.
The AI and modeling tech comes from Google and open-source neural framework Darknet, which analyzed 3.9 million miles of roads resembling the kink. The result is over 55,000 geo-coordinates featured on the hofmeisterkink.com website, along with satellite images and aerial photos.
Also Read: BMW's Neue Klasse Will be a Compact Electric Sedan and SUV
Driving the Hofmeister Kink
Thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI), BMW was able to develop a neural network AI to recognize and understand the unique shapes of 46 distinct Hofmeister Kinks found on BMWs over the last six decades. The neural network uses Deep Learning algorithm that takes in an input image and assign its importance based on various aspects or objects and differentiate one from the other.
Then, they developed trained computer vision technology to search the road networks in the US for curves that match each Hofmeister Kink. The engineers were able to upload the results into a searchable app that is available on the web and on the My BMW app.
BMW users only have to search the interactive map for Hofmeister Kink-shaped roads, track the ones driver, and build their stats.
BMW's app is an example of the car-manufacturer's commitment to continue pushing the limits of technology and innovation. The brand has been adding other new and innovative technologies to its lineup. Having the capacity to provide different and unique solutions to the market is one of the qualities that has kept this company relevant for so many years. Experience the Hofmeister Kink today!
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Written by April Fowell
