The BMW Group will showcase images of the interiors of the cars of the future at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas with a range of innovative philosophies and revolutionary technologies.
The BMW HoloActive Touch system will make its debut at the show. This innovative driver-vehicle interface works like a virtual touchscreen. The standalone display accepts commands through finger movements, while confirming them by providing the driver with tactile feedback. The HoloActive Touch is part of the BMW i Inside Future study, which introduces CES visitors (5 - 8 January 2017) to the experience of moving the future with permanently connected and autonomous vehicles.
The HoloActive Touch combines the benefits of the Head-Up Display, the BMW gesture recognition system and the direct operation of the touch screen, while adding extra features creates a unique user interface. For the first time, the functions can be controlled without physical contact with materials, but the technology allows visible and tangible driver-vehicle interaction, known from conventional touch screens.
HoloActive Touch allows access to a wide range of BMW Connected services. The smooth integration of the personal, digital mobility assistant is further enhanced by highly intuitive interaction.
The German company has a prehistory in presenting innovative imaging and operation philosophies in previous versions of CES. Its gesture recognition system, unveiled there in 2015, is now available with the new Series 7 and Series 5.
The AirTouch system presented at CES 2016 marks a further development. Here, the user uses simple open-palm gestures to activate control windows on a large panoramic display on the dashboard, without the need to touch the interface.
HoloActive Touch takes the management of these functions and vehicle interaction to another level. Flexible control windows are displayed that the driver can see next to the steering wheel at the height of the center console.
A camera detects the movements of the driver's hands in this ergonomic area and mainly records the position of the fingertips. As soon as the fingertip comes in contact with a virtual control surface, a pulse is transmitted and the relevant function is activated.