[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Haptics Engineering: the Technology Behind How a BMW Feels

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Haptics, the tactile feedback technology behind how something feels is a big component of a car's overall driving and user experience.

Just as there's a sound engineering department at BMW, it's no surprise then that there exists a dedicated haptics engineering department. The video below provides some insight into haptics development at BMW.

[keyalex]

Pretty cool!

[cotmfk]

This is why my 2007 E63 felt in a lot of ways like my step-dad's (total tool) 1985 500 SEL.

[M2COMP]

I like the wheels of Z4 convertible shown in video.

[Diver]

I like the way my car feels. I guess they got it right.

[EINSER M]

haptics engineers have worked hard to improve the cars over the years, just had a loaner today and it just feels so on point and perfect. bravo BMW

[sfm5]

Interesting, I've found that the feels are worse now than they have been in the past.

F10 vs E39, the steering wheel buttons feel cheaper, less resistence. The jog wheels are "loose", imho. The programmable convenience buttons require a longer-than-usual press to bring up the memorized function.

IDrive wheel is not bad, windows buttons have definitely improved. Turn signal and wiper stalks are much worse, E39 was smoother and higher quality feeling.

I had a loaner F30 for a while, couldn't believe how cheap everything felt. At least the distinction between F10 5-series and F30 3-series is more pronounced now.

But overall, I'd say the haptics are worse now than they were before. Audi's haptics are more "metallic, clicky", and terrible, imho. At least the BMW's maintain a "dampened" feel with all the buttons.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by sfm5

Interesting, I've found that the feels are worse now than they have been in the past.

F10 vs E39, the steering wheel buttons feel cheaper, less resistence. The jog wheels are "loose", imho. The programmable convenience buttons require a longer-than-usual press to bring up the memorized function.

IDrive wheel is not bad, windows buttons have definitely improved. Turn signal and wiper stalks are much worse, E39 was smoother and higher quality feeling.

I had a loaner F30 for a while, couldn't believe how cheap everything felt. At least the distinction between F10 5-series and F30 3-series is more pronounced now.

But overall, I'd say the haptics are worse now than they were before. Audi's haptics are more "metallic, clicky", and terrible, imho. At least the BMW's maintain a "dampened" feel with all the buttons.

^
+1

I had a F30 loaner over the weekend, and omg BMW what have you done! The car felt cheap - like they just had to save money. The new Navi screen? Really? A monolith on the dash!

Haptics are better? Heck no!

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by sfm5

Interesting, I've found that the feels are worse now than they have been in the past.

F10 vs E39, the steering wheel buttons feel cheaper, less resistence. The jog wheels are "loose", imho. The programmable convenience buttons require a longer-than-usual press to bring up the memorized function.

IDrive wheel is not bad, windows buttons have definitely improved. Turn signal and wiper stalks are much worse, E39 was smoother and higher quality feeling.

I had a loaner F30 for a while, couldn't believe how cheap everything felt. At least the distinction between F10 5-series and F30 3-series is more pronounced now.

But overall, I'd say the haptics are worse now than they were before. Audi's haptics are more "metallic, clicky", and terrible, imho. At least the BMW's maintain a "dampened" feel with all the buttons.

+2

The F30s feel like plastic toys in comparison to BMWs of past generations.

[smashhell]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

^
+1

I had a F30 loaner over the weekend, and omg BMW what have you done! The car felt cheap - like they just had to save money. The new Navi screen? Really? A monolith on the dash!

Haptics are better? Heck no!

The designs are better, but I agree, the quality went down.

[Tåst]

If quality is went down. I think that can depends two things, first can it be result ,that car must be recyclable. So materials must choice that way(Harder plastic parts etc.). Second choice is, that they save money.

[shivaswrath]

How about they stop the f@$&$! Squeak from my dash?!?!

[KeepitClassy]

Originally Posted by sfm5

Interesting, I've found that the feels are worse now than they have been in the past.

F10 vs E39, the steering wheel buttons feel cheaper, less resistence. The jog wheels are "loose", imho. The programmable convenience buttons require a longer-than-usual press to bring up the memorized function.

IDrive wheel is not bad, windows buttons have definitely improved. Turn signal and wiper stalks are much worse, E39 was smoother and higher quality feeling.

I had a loaner F30 for a while, couldn't believe how cheap everything felt. At least the distinction between F10 5-series and F30 3-series is more pronounced now.

But overall, I'd say the haptics are worse now than they were before. Audi's haptics are more "metallic, clicky", and terrible, imho. At least the BMW's maintain a "dampened" feel with all the buttons.

I'm using a F30 Loaner right now, coming from a e90 LCI. The F30 does feel very "Plasticky". I prefer my interior more. I feel like I'm riding in a Honda.

[Cuz5150]

IMHO my 99.5 Audi A4 had the best haptics!!!
I have been in many cars.......nothing comes close to that car, so far!

[doublevanosrc]

I remember during my F30 test drive that the turn signal and wipers stalks just felt cheap compared to the E90 versions.

[mdosu]

case in point, CiC idrive controller vs the CCC, CiC is just way easier to control with less feedback and more direct control.

[DylanBerg]

Seems like a very expensive approach for very simple components

[xspeedy]

How about some haptics for the totally numb EPS? A good solution is hydraulics.

[Fraggy]

Mercedes-Benz does an excellent job with their buttons, they always just feel right. You always feel luxury.

[SoCali E36]

Originally Posted by sfm5

Interesting, I've found that the feels are worse now than they have been in the past.

F10 vs E39, the steering wheel buttons feel cheaper, less resistence. The jog wheels are "loose", imho. The programmable convenience buttons require a longer-than-usual press to bring up the memorized function.

IDrive wheel is not bad, windows buttons have definitely improved. Turn signal and wiper stalks are much worse, E39 was smoother and higher quality feeling.

I had a loaner F30 for a while, couldn't believe how cheap everything felt. At least the distinction between F10 5-series and F30 3-series is more pronounced now.

But overall, I'd say the haptics are worse now than they were before. Audi's haptics are more "metallic, clicky", and terrible, imho. At least the BMW's maintain a "dampened" feel with all the buttons.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I work for the company and was blown away on how cheap the new 3 was compared to the e90. It might look nicer inside. But the "haptics" are worse.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

How about they stop the f@$&$! Squeak from my dash?!?!

Response: please forward to sound team. Lol

[aussiem3]

All the more reason to look after and keep my E92 ///3. When the volume goes up the quality goes down. I was looking at the exhaust in my wife's X3 and it is shameful. Nothing like the quality and design like the other BMWs.