BMW shows Panoramic iDrive at CES in Las Vegas

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, BMW shows the close-to-production version of the new BMW iDrive, its future display and operating concept that will be introduced across all new BMW models from the end of 2025.

The software underpinning it all is the new BMW Operating System X, the intelligence hub behind the new display and operating concept. “High tech meets highly intuitive operation, a quarter of a century of pioneering work and technological leadership in operating concepts has been channeled into the new BMW Panoramic iDrive,” says Frank Weber, board member of BMW AG, responsible for Development.

“Starting with the first series-produced ‘Neue Klasse’ model at the end of this year, the new BMW Panoramic iDrive will form an integral part of all future BMW models,” he adds.

Four elements

The new BMW iDrive merges four central elements into a unique display and operating concept. First, there is ‘BMW Panoramic Vision’, a Head-Up Display concept newly developed by BMW for projecting content. This concept reflects visible information from A-pillar to A-pillar onto a black printed surface in the lower section of the windscreen, which is visible to all occupants.

Then, there is the new and optional ‘BMW 3D Head-Up Display’ above the BMW Panoramic Vision. It shows integrated navigation and automated driving information directly in the driver’s field of vision. The content in the BMW Panoramic Vision and BMW 3D Head-Up Display is neatly coordinated.

The third element is a ‘central display’ with matrix backlight technology; the familiar, updated menu structure with QuickSelect tries to deliver optimal operation of the functions and content by touch. Operation wants to be very easy and convenient, as the free-cut-design display is located close to the steering wheel in an ergonomically ideal position.

Selected content (widgets) can be transferred to the BMW Panoramic Vision with a swipe on the central display. Up to six widgets can be moved and arranged as desired in the BMW Panoramic Vision.

Finally, the new ‘multifunction steering wheel’ uses BMW’s shy-tech approach, where the relevant buttons are illuminated to highlight available functions. The steering wheel is the primary physical control, and its buttons provide active haptic feedback.

The buttons have a relief-like surface, which makes them easy to locate. The arrangement of the buttons follows the familiar principle of driver assistance functions positioned on the steering wheel’s left-hand side and content-controlling functions on the right-hand side.

Combining these four elements reinterprets BMW’s customary “hands on the wheel, eyes on the road” approach. The BMW Panoramic iDrive wants to give the driver the right information in the right place and at the right time. The system continues the strategy of using an optimal combination of analog and digital controls through switches, buttons, touch, and voice control.

The development phase of the new BMW Panoramic iDrive also included numerous studies conducted in the BMW Group’s usability labs, in which around 3,000 customers were involved. Every decision on the various aspects of the operating logic is based on data and made in a structured manner. Here, the user experience’s extended personalization scope has also aligned with customer preferences and requirements.

Operating System X

The new BMW Operating System X is an update to the latest operating system used in many BMW models. It is a wholly in-house development from BMW. Like BMW Operating System 9, it is based on an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack.

It offers more significant update and upgrade capability than the predecessor system, making it fit for the future and backward compatible. “The overall concept of the new BMW Panoramic iDrive with Operating System X has been enabled by a large technological leap forward,” says Stephan Durach, SVP of Connected Company BMW Group.

“It offers intuitive operation, emotionally engaging experiences, and specific personalization. The new BMW iDrive with Operating System X demonstrates the potential of a software-defined vehicle,” he adds.

BMW says personalization of content reaches a new level with BMW Operating System X. The displays in the Panoramic Vision can be adapted to personal preferences. In addition, drivers can now choose their own settings for driving attributes such as response and steering characteristics in the My Mode “Personal.”

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant responds accustomedly to the prompt “Hey BMW” or can be called up by pressing the respective button on the multifunction steering wheel. Its capabilities are constantly being enhanced and will be taken to a new level for the ‘Neue Klasse’.

Better user and driving experience

The new BMW Panoramic iDrive is scalable and will be integrated into all new BMW models across all vehicle segments and with all drive system technologies from the end of 2025.

“Technology and customer preferences are changing more quickly than ever. The design of digital experiences and sound is playing an ever more important role,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, SVP of BMW Group Design. “The new BMW Panoramic iDrive not only makes our vehicles smarter and more user-friendly, but it also enables much more extensive personalization, which turns every new BMW into a car that is very much the user’s own.”