BMW floods CES 2016 with connected innovation
CES is the Consumer Electronics Show but of late that has also included car makers. Automobile brands like BMW have wholeheartedly embraced consumer electronic technology, including mobile devices, in their drive, pun intended, to the future. At CES 2016, BMW is flaunting some of its ideas and prototypes not just for future cars but for future homes as well. Unsurprisingly, it's a future filled with all kinds of dynamic and interactive displays that can be controlled with the touch of a finger or, even better, a wave of a hand.
BMW i Vision Concept Car
One of the highlights of BMW's future vision is the Vision concept car. Based on the BMW i8 Concept Spyder, this open, two-seater sports an interior that Is sporty and, now, futuristic as well. The vehicle is equipped with many amenities you'd find in hi-tech modern cars, like an HUD that lessens the need for drivers to take their eyes of the road just to glance at critical information, and a 3D instrumentation panel, situated right behind the steering wheel, that provides more detailed data.
The star of the show, however, will be the central panorama display. Unlike most central displays, this one extends all the way to the passenger side, spanning 40 cm and boasting of a high-resolution 21-inch screen. Like almost all of the i Vision's displays, the information shown here changes depending on the situation, displaying entertainment when suitable or limiting information when driver focus is required. The panel can be controlled by touch as well as BMW's AirTouch gestures, a central interaction concept in BMW's vision of the future.
AirTouch makes use of sensors on the display to detect the user's, whether driver or passenger, hand movements, allowing them to operate the screen without actually touching it. What makes its more sophisticated that some gesture based systems of its ilk is that it goes beyond simple hand waving or flicking. The sensors can also perceive depth, which means it can judge the distance of the hand from the display or dashboard. In effect, this expands the available number of gesture, adding things like a "push" or "come here" to the vocabulary.
Open Mobility Cloud
BMW is getting into the Internet of Things or IoT. That might be a strange statement considering IoT is commonly associated with smart homes and appliances. But in order to build the connected car of the future, you'll also need to build the cloud to which those cars will connect. And while you're at it, why not connect the smart home and smartphones and smartwatches too? That's exactly the idea behind BMW's Open Mobility Cloud platform that binds all of these smart things together. The end result is a truly connected and seamless digital lifestyle.
One application of BMW's cloud platform is the Mobility Mirror. Like a magic, or hi-tech, mirror, it not only reflects the view in front of it, it can also display relevant information about your car as well as your schedule. This is where connecting your smartphone or computer comes in. The mirror also has a special key holder for your car keys. Simply pick that key up and the smart car, like a networked BMW i3, will know that it's time to roll itself out of the garage, ready for you to take your place on the driver's seat.
Or, if you're not at home, you can still use Open Mobility Cloud to remotely take the car out of its parking spot. Simply perform a preset gesture, beckoning your car to you, and your smartwatch will relay the command to the car via the cloud.
BMW i 8 Mirrorless camera monitor system
Not all of BMWs futuristic ideas are just for entertainment or convenience. They're also for safety as well. Take for example the i 8 Mirrorless that replaces exterior rearview mirrors with cameras, two at the sides and one just at the top edge of the rear windshield. The video feed from these three cameras are stitched up together and displayed on the high-res screen that replaces the rearview mirror. The cameras solve many problems, primary of which is the usual blind spot that can be dangerous when left on its own. It also gives a clear view of the surroundings and can be tied up with dynamic overlays for information or warnings.
BMW Motorrad ConnectedRide
BMW also has something for those who prefer to ride on only two wheels. In particular, it is showing off two concepts at CES 2016. One is a BMW K 1600 GTL bike that is equipped with the company's Motorrad laser light. Such headlamps are known for shining brighter, whiter, and more far-reaching light, increasing the safety of nighttime driving.
There is also the head's up display helmet that helps decrease driver distraction and increase safety by projecting the wanted information within the driver's field of view.
Wrap-up
These are just some of BMW's ideas for a future where cars, bikes, homes, phones, and watches are all connected together like one happy family. It will, of course, take some time before these become actual parts of actual retail vehicles, but it all starts with a vision. A future vision, that Iis.