[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW Teases the Curved Display in the BMW iNEXT

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Single-piece display unit for presentation of information geared perfectly towards the driver offering ergonomically optimised, intuitive control.

May 28, 2019

Munich. The driver-oriented arrangement of display and control elements has been one of the hallmark features of BMW model interiors for decades. The next generation of fully digital display will be seen in the BMW iNEXT (see latest spy photos & info), which is due to be produced as the premium automobile manufacturer’s technology flagship from 2021 onwards. In the new Curved Display featured in the BMW iNEXT, information and control display areas are merged to create a single unit that is curved towards the driver. This integrated unit geared towards the driver optimises the visualisation of information and facilitates intuitive touch control.

The traditional driver orientation of cockpit design was recently optimised further with the current BMW Live Cockpit Professional. Here, the clear structure and uniform presentation of extensively customisable content on the fully digital instrument panel and Control Display ensure the driver always has the right information at the right time. The next step on from this now follows with the Curved Display in the BMW iNEXT. It features a curvature that is geared towards the driver. The single-section display surface creates a particularly harmonious effect, lending additional visual emphasis to the ergonomically optimised controls.

“The curved, single-section display is the central control element and represents the modern interpretation of driver orientation. It occupies a dominant central position in a highly iconic display structure that provides a highly distinctive display experience,” explains Domagoj Dukec, Head of BMW Design. “The Curved Display is set in high-quality materials and is virtually freely suspended on the instrument panel. This makes it a key element in terms of the modern, luxurious and generous sense of space in the BMW iNEXT.”

The Curved Display is positioned in such a way that vehicle occupants cannot see its connection to the instrument panel. This means it conveys a particularly striking sense of lightness. The distinctive, high-quality design of the Curved Display draws its inspiration from modern consumer electronics technology, with the curved display element itself being held in place by an extremely slim magnesium bracket. The sophisticated display technology with non-reflecting glass also does without a hood for shading purposes, thereby giving the cockpit area a particularly tidy and uncongested look.

“The Curved Display in the BMW iNEXT takes us to the next level of driver-oriented controls,” says Robert Irlinger, Head of BMW i. “The new display unit enables intuitive, natural and ergonomically perfect use of the touch function.”

As such, the shape and arrangement of the Curved Display represents a ground-breaking interpretation of the driver orientation that is characteristic of BMW. At the same time, the Control Display area remains clearly visible and accessible to the front passenger, too. Depending on the situation and individual preferences, individual display content items can be shifted back and forth between the Control Display area in the driver’s direct field of vision and the area that can be used by the front passenger.

[chicagofan00]

Looks like they want to go the way of MB and tack on a giant screen that extends across the dash.

I like the separation between the two screens and having a proper dash versus a giant computer screen stretched across the interior.

[tastes jigga]

The way things are going... the whole windshield will be a display!

[stein_325i]

While it isn't the best design to have a giant screen, hopefully they can implement it well, and possibly still have some hard buttons for climate control and idrive. Guess we'll have to wait and see...

[Ghostriderf80]

Great every BMW driver can pitch in and report the ct heads.

[keanu1]

They are matching the interior with the huge grills

[Bahn360Photo]

Not a bad idea, may get too distracting with one piece

MB dash is cool but i prefer bmw M setup the best

[psuibmw]

The steering wheel will be replaced by Up, Down, Left, and Right buttons

[emulajavi]

OH NO!! Copying the worst thing of Mercedes: sticking a big horizontal tablet on the dashboard.

[Beemerbighead]

Oh nice! more electrical problems and faulty modules and god knows what other new problems coming too bmw....

[cfm56d7b]

The trend to tabletize the driver cockpit is troubling. Perhaps just as troubling as the trend to tabletize mobile phones. Clothing designers are struggling to enlarge the back pockets on jeans.

The driver experience consists of primary and secondary information feeds. Primary = in the immediate area behind the steering wheel (plus HUD) and secondary = navigation + entertainment.

Then - the driver experience is enhanced by controls, easily accessible and ideally taking advantage of muscle memory to allow the driver to focus on the road.

I think Porsche got it almost right with 2019 Panamera interior. The only major gap: excessive reliance on touch controls.

[M3GymNut]

I dig it, something different.

[fiftee50]

This is the direction the industry is headed to. The next generation of drivers are more interested in screens and an 'immersive' digital experience behind the wheel, which probably makes sense as the steering wheel won't be used as much with autonomous driving and you need to do something while the car drives it self, hence a large screen to look at It's not a BMW problem, it's an industry and generation evolution, whether enthusiasts like it or not.

[Dr.Deep]

Hmmmm....they copied the A class of merc with the new 1er...now this as well?!?!

There was a time BMW was going its own (nice) way....and creating things that others copied, now things have changed, the only own way they go are the kidneys

[xlover]

Originally Posted by tastes jigga

The way things are going... the whole windshield will be a display!

This would be my preference... a giant configurable hud... that works with polarized sunglasses

[yco]

with this trend, expecting to sit on a screen instead of a seat while driving in 5 years..

[PARTS@STBMW]

No way?!

[H.I.T]

BMW iNEXT concept interior:

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by H.I.T

BMW iNEXT concept interior:

Is BMW entering the airport business lounge market?

[GOLFFRR]

ooooo could be pretty cool if done right! exciting

[Skyhigh]

Just because Tesla did something incredibly stupid (one of many), doesn't mean BMW has to follow!
Horrible idea, if the intent is for a single display and no instrument cluster.

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by Daaan

Hmmmm....they copied the A class of merc with the new 1er...now this as well?!?!

There was a time BMW was going its own (nice) way....and creating things that others copied, now things have changed, the only own way they go are the kidneys

That time is not in the past. BMW’s Idrive is being copied left and right by pretty much all other manufacturers. So are the new icon lights design. So are the driving mode adjustments. Actually, BMW was never copied as much in the past, and they’ve never built better cars.

Also, single screen setup announcement doesn’t mean it’s being copied. It’s not a novel idea. It’s more about implementation...