Driving just got easier. If you own a BMW and you live in the 21st century, then you do have a shot at easing your Monday morning tumult of driving to office. The German carmaker shook hands with Apple last week, to integrate the EnLighten iOS app which uses GPS and location data to intimate the driver, the time required to stop at a traffic signal, when it’s going to switch to a different colour.
The app predicts when the traffic lights in front will change or to prepare to move off if they are stationary with real-time data. It promises increased safety along with reduced waiting periods for the BMW owner and yes, increased fuel efficiency to a degree. Also, at intersections where there are dedicated traffic signals for turns, the activation of the vehicle’s turn indicator tells the app of the driver’s intention to turn so that only the status of the relevant signal is displayed. This easy-to-use interface features a red circle, indicating the red signal with a countdown and a set of digits that predicts the next traffic signal. In the same fashion, the green indicates the driver to proceed. A light ‘chime’ is used to indicate the driver to pull away.
The app is available to download for iPhone users, but will only display information on BMW dashboards that have ConnectedDrive Services. By connecting via BMW Apps, users will see the status of traffic lights on their dashboard without having to look at their mobile phone.
Now, available in cities like Portland and Eugene, Oregon, Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden, Utah, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Arcadia and Walnut Creek, California with installed smart traffic lights, this app is yet to hit wider markets.
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