The new BMW Operating System 7.0 is an all-rounding infotainment system which contains lots of clever and helping features. One of them is called “Caring Car” and its main purpose is to basically relax or energize the driver by adjusting climate, cabin lighting, audio settings and seats and choosing the adequate music to create a feel-good atmosphere inside the car.
The “Caring Car” feature is available only in BMW OS 7.0-equipped models in conjunction with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster. It can be easily turned on or off from the main menu of the infotainment system. You need to select “CAR”, then click on “Caring Car” option.
There are two mood-enhancement programs to choose from: Vitalize and Relax. The “Caring Car” is fully functional only if the engine is running, the climate control is set to AUTO and the sound volume is not muted. The two “Caring Car” programs are designed to last for 3 minutes and are oriented towards satisfying the driver’s needs. They can also be accessed through the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
Say, for example, “Hey BMW, I am tired” and the assistant will automatically turn on the Vitalize mode of the “Caring Car”. The ambient lighting will turn to green, the climate temperature on the driver’s side will drop to 18-degrees Celsius (64.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and, if available, the seat ventilation will be turned on at its maximum level. As well, “Caring Car” will start playing an energetic tune via the audio system, as the progress of the vitalization program will be displayed on the iDrive control display.
If you want to relax, just call in for the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and let it know your desire. It will then automatically trigger the Relax program from the Caring Car menu, which means the ambient lighting will turn into a calm bronze, the seat heating will be activated at a minimum level, the driver’s side temperature will rise to 23 degrees Celsius (73.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and the audio system will start playing a chill out, relaxation song over the course of the 3-minute program.