With social networking venues such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, sharing information from person to person is simple. But in a technologically dynamic world, sharing shouldn't be limited to just humans. BMW of Bakersfield thinks vehicles should get social too. After all, there's a lot of information to be passed around on the roads out there. And, it seems as though BMW agrees. The automaker is currently taking steps towards developing a new automotive sharing system called "Car-to-X."

While BMW, along with other automakers, has already developed safety sensor technology, the systems currently in place are limited in range and time. "Car-to-X" however, will be able to "see" around corners and across much greater distances. How will this work? The answer has a lot do with the aforementioned social vehicle sharing. Through the use of long-range electronic networking, new BMW models will be able to chat back and forth, sharing information regarding traffic, accidents, weather hazards and more.

With the "Car-to-x" system, not only will vehicle be able to communicate with multiple other vehicles at a time, they will also have the ability to receive information from infrastructure like traffic lights. Knowing when a light is going to change, how bad traffic is ahead of time and where a road will turn dangerous due to weather conditions, can improve efficiency while driving and save a great deal of gas and time. Of course, the BMW "Car-to-x" system will also greatly increase road safety.

"The more information I have about the rest of my journey - for example, if I know in advance when traffic lights will change, or if I know that an accident has just happened further along the route - the more promptly I can react, which means I have less stress and can either avoid hazardous situations altogether or at least reduce the risk,"¹ noted Karl-Ernst Steinberg, Head of Information and Communication Technologies at BMW Group Research and Technology.

Though the advanced automotive social network is still in the works, BMW of Bakersfield is very excited to watch and see where it goes. We are also happy to answer any questions we can about this BMW initiative and others. If you'd like to learn more, feel free to contact us online or chat with us in person at 5400 Gasoline Alley Drive Bakersfield, CA 93313.

Source: ¹http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/bmw-presents-car-to-x-communication-wants-vehicles-to-talk-more/