BMW is introducing a revolutionary feature known as the “superbrain”—a quartet of high-performance computing units—across its upcoming Neue Klasse electric vehicles (EVs), beginning with the iX3 SUV. Branded as a digital nervous system, these superbrains consolidate over 20 times more processing power than current generation models, enabling rapid infotainment, automated driving, driving dynamics, and essential vehicle functions.Financial Times
Four Superbrains: The Core of BMW’s Software-Defined Vehicles
BMW’s new architecture integrates four specialized superbrains, each overseeing a critical domain:
- Driving Dynamics (“Heart of Joy”) – Combines drivetrain, braking, charging, steering, and recuperation functions into one ultra-fast control module that reacts up to 10 times faster than prior systems.
- Automated Driving – Centralizes previous distributed control into a single unit with twentyfold processing power, enhancing autonomy and responsiveness.
- Infotainment (Panoramic iDrive) – Runs BMW’s next-gen Operating System X, managing navigation, displays, AI-based voice control, and immersive digital interactions.
- Core Vehicle Functions – Aggregates vital features like climate, lighting, vehicle access, and software updates into a unified system connected to numerous sensors.
Streamlined Wiring & AI-Ready Software
The superbrains are supported by a zonal wiring harness architecture, which divides the vehicle into four zones—front, center, rear, and roof. This system cuts 600 meters of wiring and trims harness weight by 30%, boosting overall efficiency.
BMW also introduces smart eFuses, replacing traditional fuses with programmable digital units that manage power distribution intelligently across vehicle states. This improves energy efficiency by around 20%.
On the software front, BMW embraces a software-defined vehicle (SDV) model. Thanks to continuous over-the-air updates, vehicles remain up-to-date well beyond their initial release. Development is powered by the “CodeCraft” toolchain—supporting thousands of developers and leveraging generative AI to boost productivity by 130×, with up to 200,000 builds per day.
What It Means for BMW and EV Innovation
BMW’s “superbrain” technology marks a major leap in automotive intelligence:
- Redefining Performance: Drivers benefit from smoother dynamics, instant responsiveness, and advanced regen control—nearly imperceptible braking and precise handling.
- Transforming Vehicle Interfaces: Infotainment becomes psychologically intuitive, powered by AI, cloud integration, and panoramic displays
- Competitive Edge: These software-centric vehicles strengthen BMW’s positioning against rivals like Tesla and emerging Chinese brands—shifting the narrative around legacy automakers’ tech capability
