[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW To Use Nvidia GPU for Future 1280x600 iDrive Displays

38
COMMENTS

Tweet

NVIDIA has been shuffling its priorities as of late, especially with rumors of certain large computer manufacturers moving away from NVIDIA hardware. Regardless, the company has been beefing up its automotive portfolio, their products already power the Navigation system in Audis but as of todays annoucement, NVIDIA will also be offering up its services to the entire BMW range (including MINI).

Having a dedicated NVIDIA graphics processor will certainly boost the speed and rendering capabilities in the I-Drive nav system, especially in creating faster and more detailed landscape renderings. Most importantly, their hardware will allow for full 1280x600 in all upcoming BMW systems. BMW also promises a visually rich next generation system.

To mark the event, BMW and NVIDIA will have a demonstrator 5 series available at the CES show all week.

If you are interested in NVIDIAs automotive products, make sure to check out the new Tesla Model S, which uses NVIDIAS Tegra platform to power an eye popping 17" Infotainment/control cluster!

Source: Engadget

PRESS RELEASE + Expand

NVIDIA GPUs to Be the Infotainment Centerpiece Across BMW's Next-Generation of Cars

From the 7 Series to the Mini Cooper, NVIDIA Powers BMW State-of-the-Art Graphics, Enabling Focus on Safer, More Enjoyable Driving

LAS VEGAS, NV -- (Marketwire) -- 01/04/2011 -- CES 2011 -- BMW of North America and NVIDIA today announced a partnership that puts NVIDIA® GPUs in navigation and vehicle-information systems across all next-generation BMW cars worldwide.

NVIDIA GPUs will power BMW's in-car navigation systems to deliver vivid graphics with detailed terrain models, landmarks and a stunning new interface. NVIDIA processors will be found throughout BMW's range of models, including the 7-Series, 5-Series, 3-Series, Mini Cooper line and X-Series of sports activity vehicles.

BMW's iDrive will feature high resolution visuals, real-time traffic reporting and navigation information. iDrive is the intelligent control concept that makes it intuitively simple to use a BMW's in-car features. Its ability to clearly show the most relevant details and make anticipatory decisions to assist the driver will allow BMW owners to drive more safely and focus on the joy of driving.

Highlights / Key Facts:

* Powered by NVIDIA GPUs, the BMW iDrive system provides:
o Visually rich, next-generation user interface
o Advanced state-of-the-art graphics for navigation and vehicle-information systems
o High resolution display (1280x600)
o Fast user-interface response time
* At CES 2011, see a sneak preview of the BMW 5-Series, showcasing the very latest graphics technologies at NVIDIA's outdoor exhibit -- Central Plaza booth # CP7.

Quotes:

"A year ago we had a vision to deliver the most advanced intuitive state-of-the-art navigation system. In our quest for superior graphics performance, no one came close to what NVIDIA brings to the table. Our partnership represents the beginning of an exciting new phase for BMW drivers."
- Elmar Frickenstein, Executive Vice President Electrics/Electronics and Driving Experience Environment at BMW


"BMW has built their reputation on creating the ultimate driving experience. They are taking that to an entirely new level with NVIDIA GPUs."
- Dan Vivoli, Senior Vice President at NVIDIA

NVIDIA 17" screen from Tesla model

[03BeastCharmer]

Interesting.

So the new 5 and 7 are already out, and I assume the 3 is well on it's development way, so does this mean we will not see this in applications until around 2016???

[LemonOne]

maybe in i8?

[James T. Kirk]

Do we really need LARGER displays to distract our driving? Look at this thing. It's almost the whole console. I think there is much more to be gained by developing heads up displays that keep your eyes somewhere closer to the road.

[Forcefed3]

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

Do we really need LARGER displays to distract our driving? Look at this thing. It's almost the whole console. I think there is much more to be gained by developing heads up displays that keep your eyes somewhere closer to the road.

I completely agree. Also, there would be too much light in the cabin affecting night vision.

[InTheNightKitchen]

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

Do we really need LARGER displays to distract our driving? Look at this thing. It's almost the whole console. I think there is much more to be gained by developing heads up displays that keep your eyes somewhere closer to the road.

Originally Posted by gbreeE90

I completely agree. Also, there would be too much light in the cabin affecting night vision.

Assumption - That will be a dispaly model just to display its capabilities, I would think the production models would look nothing like this and in no way be this big. Besides, thats a Tesla, not a Bimmer

[koreez88]

I wonder if I could play WoW online while driving

[ArabianSensation]

Originally Posted by koreez88

I wonder if I could play WoW online while driving

[bmwdinamo]

I rear-ended another car while inputing a destination.

If they're gonna have something so rich in display, it better be like Lexus: pull over and enter the destination.

[esqu1re]

Wow...I think this is cool for passengers, but may compromise night vision, even on dimmest setting. For me, having the small nav screen in the z4 up at night is already annoying...

[Alchem]

Originally Posted by bmwdinamo

I rear-ended another car while inputing a destination.

If they're gonna have something so rich in display, it better be like Lexus: pull over and enter the destination.

If u don't have self control and common sense. That's ur fault.

[ihyln]

hopefully the nVidia chip won't take half the car's power to run it

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by Alchem

If u don't have self control and common sense. That's ur fault.

I agree, but the night time glare can be an issue no matter what you are doing, and depending on what is controlled, we may not want to turn the display off.

As for self control, well if I were really strong in that department I would still be driving a 1990 318.

[sA x sKy]

Originally Posted by koreez88

I wonder if I could play WoW online while driving

LOL

I for one am happy that nVidia is supporting BMW. Can't wait to get into an F32 M3 in 5-6 years with a sick iDrive. Now all BMW needs to do is fix the music interface...

[MikesBMW]

so i should buy back into NVDA stock?

[EvolutionTheory]

That's pretty awesome.. my favorite gpu manufacturer and my favorite car brand combined!

That comment about playing WoW in your BMW was pretty hilarious from my computer geek perspective.

I too wonder though about the existing F10 and if perhaps in 2012 they'll have these new cards? I would suspect unfortunately we'd have to wait until the 2013 model if they do some minor improvements or even the next gen 5er.

[JoeyBananaz18]

id like to see the entire center console get turned into a screen with buttons for AC, Radio, iDrive, ect. imagine every button on you center console on a screen. ANE then having your NAV look like that. sick.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by bmwdinamo

I rear-ended another car while inputing a destination.

If they're gonna have something so rich in display, it better be like Lexus: pull over and enter the destination.

One of my favorite things about my car is the fact that if I'm driving on the highway I can change my destination without having to pull over. It's flat out annoying to have to do that to make a change.

[MangoMan305]

Originally Posted by koreez88

I wonder if I could play WoW online while driving

Hahaha

That'd be so awesome but so dangerous

[Robert]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

id like to see the entire center console get turned into a screen with buttons for AC, Radio, iDrive, ect. imagine every button on you center console on a screen. ANE then having your NAV look like that. sick.

While sick not very practical and useful. I still prefer analog dial and very few buttons. That way I can feel my way and keep eyes on the road.

Do we really need dual climate control? Or digital read out?

I like the z4 interior. Simple and classic.

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...-1600x1200.jpg

[V8Killer]

Originally Posted by bmwdinamo

I rear-ended another car while inputing a destination.

If they're gonna have something so rich in display, it better be like Lexus: pull over and enter the destination.

DUMB ASS

[Jgcdude1]

That would be sweet!!!!