BMW Develops New Control Unit for Efficient Braking in Electric Cars

Concept vehicle BMW "Heart of Joy": Central computer makes brakes unnecessary

2025-03-05 From Sven Prawitz | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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BMW developers are making the friction brake in electric cars unnecessary. A new control unit combines all drive and driving dynamics tasks. As a result, braking can be done almost exclusively through recuperation.

BMW has presented the first features of its concept vehicle "Vision Driving Experience" for the Auto Show in Shanghai (April 2025).(Image: Tom Kirkpatrick/BMW AG) — BMW has presented the first features of its concept vehicle "Vision Driving Experience" for the Auto Show in Shanghai (April 2025).
(Image: Tom Kirkpatrick/BMW AG)

BMW presented its concept vehicle "Vision Driving Experience" to selected journalists just over two months before the "Auto Shanghai" show—in China, it will occupy a central place on the OEM's exhibition space. While the vehicle itself will not go into series production, the central computer installed will be launched with the first model of the "New Class": presumably an SUV in the format of an iX3.

The newly presented concept vehicle is more of a technology carrier for important electronic and software systems. In the future, BMW's E/E architecture will consist of four central control units, one each for:

automated and highly automated driving,
infotainment,
basic functions such as climate & comfort, vehicle access, interior and exterior lighting, and
drive and driving dynamics control

Central computer "Heart of Joy"

According to company information, the aforementioned computer combines the tasks of four individual control units. BMW calls the high-performance computer "Heart of Joy." It will be installed in every fully electric vehicle of the New Class and is intended to offer customers BMW-typical driving characteristics. The new control unit combines, for the first time at BMW, drive and driving dynamics functions. The unit controls acceleration and braking, vehicle stabilization, as well as dynamic steering functions and charge management.

Furthermore, the software, combined with the computing power, elevates efficiency to a new level, emphasizes Frank Weber, BMW AG's Head of Development. According to him, the vehicles could thus brake almost exclusively via recuperation. Brake discs, pads, and their peripherals are still needed (and installed) for emergencies and redundancy, but in everyday life, they will likely no longer be necessary. According to the OEM, 98 percent of drivers will then no longer require interventions from the conventional brake.

Gallery

However, the first functions have already been introduced: including a new control unit for drive and driving dynamics.(Image: Tom Kirkpatrick/BMW AG)

The concept vehicle "Vision Driving Experience" is still disguised and will only be shown at the "Auto Shanghai."(Image: Tom Kirkpatrick/BMW AG)

When the vehicle accelerates, the spokes of the wheels light up green (previous image). Recuperation is shown in blue, and the use of friction brakes is indicated by the color orange.(Image: Tom Kirkpatrick/BMW AG)

The concept vehicle will not go into series production, emphasizes BMW.(Image: Tom Kirkpatrick/BMW AG)

Gallery with 6 images

Electronic system reacts ten times faster

According to BMW, this is possible because the central control unit can process information for drive, brakes, charging, recuperation, and partial steering functions ten times faster than previous systems. The interaction of the electronic nervous system with the "Dynamic Performance Control" software is being tested in the aforementioned development vehicle. The drive system develops 18,000 Newton meters of torque.

Under these extreme load and driving scenarios, the new hardware and software are supposed to demonstrate that the interaction of sensors, control unit, and actuators works with minimal delays. BMW indicates latency times in the millisecond range. Only through the bundled control function can an electric car reach its full potential, it is further stated.

Regarding driving characteristics, the manufacturer promises precise steering that requires fewer control inputs by the driver. The cornering behavior becomes reproducible.

The "Vision Driving Experience," still disguised at the moment, will celebrate its world premiere at the Auto Show in Shanghai (from April 23, 2025).

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Date: 08.12.2025

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