BMW's Panoramic iDrive: A Better Idea?

Some of you readers might be old enough to remember the original BMW iDrive, which launched 24 years ago in the 4th generation 7 Series, with a (compared to today) relatively small display and a big, physical, multifunction controller. As we learned at CES in 2023, BMW’s vision for the future of HMI (human-machine interface) is rather radical: an elimination of traditional screens altogether. In 2024, we saw the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X, a concept version of the compact iX3 electric SUV due later this year—and an updated HMI setup that gets them closer to this vision.

This year at CES, we get the official reveal of Panoramic iDrive, powered by the Android-based Operating System X. You get four elements:

• A full-width panoramic display in a black band at the base of the windshield

• A multifunction steering wheel with haptic feedback

• A parallelogram-shaped 17.9” central touchscreen

• An optional 3D head-up display

IS IT COMPETITIVE?

Let’s look at these elements a little more closely…

The panoramic display uses six individual screens, the right three of which are customizable (including wireless CarPlay and Android Auto). Unlike a HUD, which projects the graphics around the front bumper (so you don’t have to refocus), this is more like a repositioned instrument cluster; Citroen, Lincoln, and Toyota have similar approaches on several of their vehicles, but BMW’s execution appears closest to Lincoln with its full-width setup. It’s certainly less intrusive than a traditional instrument cluster, and the high degree of customization available suggests an ability to manage driver distraction.

The multifunction steering wheel has haptic feedback—which is another way of saying it doesn’t have any actual mechanical switches or toggles, but touch-sensitive surfaces that respond when activated. VW had so much trouble with this technology they decided to scrap it, and BMW’s decision here may not have been the ideal one.

The big central display is, of course, ideal for people who are already comfortable with touchscreens, and plenty of real estate to keep things legible. There’s no real functional reason for a parallelogram shape, but it does look more interesting than a plain old rectangle. And now that BMW has figured out how to put a round image onto a round screen in the new Mini family, they can do the same here without any awkward borders around the graphics. Finally, the ability to swipe widgets from the touchscreen into the panoramic display isn’t new but could be convenient.

The 3D HUD seems comparable in functionality to what some other automakers refer to as augmented-reality HUDs, and will certainly help drivers stay focused on the road ahead; personally, as a fan of HUDs, I welcome this upgraded technology.

A couple of things worth noting that weren’t mentioned in BMW’s press release:

• BMW does mention voice control, courtesy of a Large Language Model. But what’s missing is Amazon, who was announced as BMW’s partner way back in September 2022, with the assumption that BMW’s next in-vehicle voice assistant would be built from Alexa. Where is Alexa now?

• Are there any actual physical controls in BMW’s future? It’s unclear; the Neue Klasse X concept showed seat adjustment controls on the door panel, but BMW didn’t reference any physical controls in their future interiors at CES this year. Hyundai, VW, and Scout have committed to physical controls, just as many other automakers are wrestling with the cost of actual switches vs the complexity of touchscreen controls.

• Finally, you might recall BMW was first to market with gesture controls back in 2015--waving your hand to dismiss a phone call, for example. It now appears BMW is abandoning that technology, claiming the much-improved voice command and larger touchscreen work just fine, thanks.

  
  

THE BOTTOM LINE

Although the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls could be problematic, BMW’s overall approach with Panoramic iDrive seems to be one that could give you a cleaner, less distracting interior while still displaying all the information a driver needs. There are likely dozens of consumer research events going on even as I write this that are attempting to find out what drivers really want, so look for additional developments—and innovations—in HMI in the future.