The increasing integration of mobility apps with OEM software continues as driver requirements and expectations force greater acceleration of interoperability between service providers and car manufacturers.

BMW has just announced that it is offering an in-car parking payment solution for 150,000 of its vehicles in the UK that will allow drivers cashless parking transactions.

RingGo, part of the PARK NOW Group that operates through central Europe and the UK, offers cashless streetside parking via a smartphone app or automated telephone service. However, it involves the driver inputting the location via a number for the designated parking slot, which can sometimes be difficult to find, especially in poor weather conditions.

Integration with BMW’s iDrive on-board infotainment system greatly simplifies the process allowing drivers of BMWs to transition from navigation to parking and paying all through their in-car touchscreen without the need for a phone or cash.

The RingGo functionality will be delivered via an Over The Air (OTA) update to drivers of BMWs built from 2018.

Of the new collaboration with RingGo, Chris Hollis, the ConnectedDrive & Technologies Product Manager at BMW, says: “We are delighted to have worked closely with RingGo to give our customers an intuitive, helpful experience that brings all of their parking needs together in one place. The new feature will be delivered as an integrated vehicle app and installed automatically over-the-air on all BMW vehicles in the UK which have Operating System 7 and were built from July 2018.”

Peter O’Driscoll, UK Managing Director of RingGo, adds:

“It is another demonstration of the rapid evolution of integrated motoring, parking and mobility services, which puts motorists in control and removes any barriers in transitioning from one to another.”

A spokesperson for BMW GB said that the functionality was developed specifically for the UK market, and presently there were no plans to roll it out through Europe via PARK NOW Group’s other brands - Park Now, Park Mobile and Park Line.

PARK NOW Group has recently been acquired by EasyGroup Park, confirmed at the beginning of June. EasyPark Group plans to become a global pacesetter within the digital parking, electric vehicle charging and mobility services sector.