[Jason]

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BMW HoloActive Touch Interface to Debut at CES 2017

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The BMW Group at CES 2017 in Las Vegas. BMW HoloActive Touch: An innovative operating concept for the interior of the future.

December 15, 2016

Munich/Las Vegas. The BMW Group will provide another glimpse into the interior of the future at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas with a selection of trailblazing concepts and revolutionary technology. The BMW HoloActive Touch system, for example, will be making its debut at the show. This innovative interface between the driver and vehicle acts like a virtual touchscreen; its free-floating display is operated using finger gestures and confirms the commands with what the driver perceives as tactile feedback. BMW HoloActive Touch is part of the BMW i Inside Future study, which gives visitors to the CES, taking place on 5 – 8 January 2017, an impression of the mobility experience set to be offered by seamlessly connected and autonomously-driving cars in the future.

BMW HoloActive Touch brings together the advantages of the BMW Head-Up Display, BMW gesture control and direct touchscreen operation, and adds extra features to create a unique form of user interface. For the first time, the functions can be controlled without any physical contact with materials, but the technology still enables the visible and tangible driver-vehicle interaction familiar from conventional touchscreens. BMW HoloActive Touch also allows the user to access the wide variety of services provided by BMW Connected. The seamless integration of the personal digital mobility companion is highlighted even more vividly by the extremely intuitive interaction.

BMW has developed a track record for presenting pioneering advances in the field of display and operating concepts at previous editions of the CES. The BMW gesture control technology unveiled at the show in 2015 is now available in both the new BMW 7 Series and new BMW 5 Series models. And the AirTouch system showcased at CES 2016 took things a step further; here, the user employs simple gestures made with an open hand to activate control pads on a large panoramic display in the dashboard without having to touch the control interface.

BMW HoloActive Touch takes operating these functions and interacting with the vehicle to another level. Similarly to the Head-Up Display, the image of a full-colour display is generated by clever use of reflections – but now in free-floating form within the interior rather than through projection onto the windscreen. It displays flexibly configurable control pads and is visible to the driver next to the steering wheel at the height of the centre console. A camera detects the driver’s hand movements within this ergonomically user-friendly area, and registers the position of their fingertips, in particular. As soon as a fingertip makes contact with one of these virtual control surfaces, a pulse is emitted and the relevant function is activated.

[stvding]

While they havd yet to change any current lineup interior design

[Brantley847]

Would much rather see a signicant refresh to interior design than gradual technological improvements.... or just do both like everyone else

[rmedeir1]

Nice concept for interaction but to be honest I would rather the interaction be mostly voice with 100% accuracy and touch capability in cases where I am not driving. If I am driving I am much more alert with the traffic than touch or even current iDrive. However, given the history of each car manufacturer having their own proprietary user interface, which then dilutes the inability to standardize on a UI and scale plus profit margins capping investment into this singular area I am dubious this will be a fool proof experience.

[EatMoreLobsters]

Originally Posted by stvding

While they havd yet to change any current lineup interior design

[Takumi587]

I personally feel that this technology is totally unnecessary in a car. Why not focus R&D on the software and user interfaces for the dashboards now etc... Tesla seems to get the point but BMW is a laggard. The auto lane assist or whatever is no where as great as Tesla's today too.

Just more tech gimmicks trying to act modern. I bet it will have many flaws.

[Ghostriderf80]

I still prefer a big motor to a hybrid. i8 is OK, but it leaves lots to be desired. Tesla is da bomb.
There is another supercar that is full electric. I think the future is there.

[Agni]

When will BMW actually innovate instead of relying on gimmicky 3rd party suppliers? The gesture controller on the 7er is just a leap motion controller. Which is still very alpha/beta technology.

[YungDro]

thread closed....

[c63er]

Agreed with the sentiments above. Sounds gimicky and doesn't seem offer anything to improve the driver experience or safety.

But I do understand the why. Manufacturers have to keep offering new tech to keep the products interesting to new buyers.

But it's a double edged sword. If it works without a hitch then people will buy into it. If it doesn't then people will think bmw quality has "gone down" etc. jury's out. We shall see.

[Fraggy]

Sounds as bad as Cadillac CUE.

[raysspl]

Promising prototype

[lonestar22]

Originally Posted by Takumi587

I personally feel that this technology is totally unnecessary in a car. Why not focus R&D on the software and user interfaces for the dashboards now etc... Tesla seems to get the point but BMW is a laggard. The auto lane assist or whatever is no where as great as Tesla's today too.

Just more tech gimmicks trying to act modern. I bet it will have many flaws.

im going to go ahead and say Tesla's system is not great at all. Physical controls should be mandatory for things like A/C and volume. no one wants to take their eyes off the road to touch a flat screen to see where the controls actually are.

[3s-a-charm]

Originally Posted by lonestar22

im going to go ahead and say Tesla's system is not great at all. Physical controls should be mandatory for things like A/C and volume. no one wants to take their eyes off the road to touch a flat screen to see where the controls actually are.

There are physical buttons on the steering wheels for both of the functions you described. The great part of the Tesla interface is it is constantly being improved with OTA software updates which BMW could learn from. The car can improve over time and the screens become modern with every refresh - like iOS updates change the UI of your iPhone.

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by rmedeir1

Nice concept for interaction but to be honest I would rather the interaction be mostly voice with 100% accuracy and touch capability in cases where I am not driving. If I am driving I am much more alert with the traffic than touch or even current iDrive. However, given the history of each car manufacturer having their own proprietary user interface, which then dilutes the inability to standardize on a UI and scale plus profit margins capping investment into this singular area I am dubious this will be a fool proof experience.

I totally agree with the need for voice improvements! I had a 335 with no iDrive and the voice commands were actually decent. The voice command on my M3 pro nav sucks balls and has a success rate of about 3%.