BMW vehicles to offer GoPro camera integration

BMW has announced an interesting new partnership with GoPro.

BMW has announced a new partnership with camera maker GoPro that promises to make it a little easier to capture track-day heroics or a scenic country drive.

Starting this July, 2012 and newer BMW Group vehicles equipped with either the BMW Apps or MINI Connected will be able to integrate with Wi-Fi-equipped GoPro cameras via the vehicle's onboard infotainment system. An iPhone 4 or newer running the GoPro app is also required.

In order for the system to work, the iPhone must be paired with the Wi-Fi-enabled camera and then connected to the vehicle with either a USB cable or BMW's iPhone adaptor. From there, the GoPro app is displayed on the vehicle's infotainment screen and the controls are handled through either the BMW ConnectedDrive or the MINI Connected menus.

The BMW interface doesn't tap all of the functionality of GoPro's cameras, but does offer six different recording modes, including two for time-lapses. The camera's record function can also be started and stopped from behind the wheel.

A preview of the video shot is display on the vehicle's center screen but, in order to reduce driver distraction, is only available when the vehicle in in park.

"GoPro is a natural fit for BMW enthusiast drivers,” said Phil Johnston, Head of BMW Group AppCenter USA. "The power and flexibility of the BMW group App Integration Platform coupled with GoPro's advanced camera technology brings new, safe, and engaging experiences to the enthusiasts that were previously not possible.”

GoPro hasn't announced if it will extend its vehicle integration to any other manufacturers, but we suspect similar partnerships could be in the works.

Image by Drew Johnson.