BMW AG’s latest prototype could bode well for Apple Inc.’s future car. The driver has no buttons or switches and a very sleek interior with the windshield acting as a giant voice-controlled display.
BMW AG’s latest prototype could bode well for Apple Inc.’s future car. The driver has no buttons or switches and a very sleek interior with the windshield acting as a giant voice-controlled display.
Some of the technology on display in the i Vision Dee concept car on display at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas could come as early as 2025, according to CEO Oliver Gypsse. It will be available. Vehicles — Using Amazon. Com Inc.’s voice recognition know-how — featuring software developed primarily by BMW to keep tech giants out.
“We have to be very vigilant not to leak data,” Zipse said at an event in Munich previewing i Vision Dee. “Our car will seamlessly integrate into his digital life and become a true driving companion.”
BMW’s flashy show at CES comes at a time when Apple’s highly secretive car project faces delays to around 2026 after its self-driving plans have proven too ambitious. But even with the delay, Apple’s pressure on the auto industry continues to affect an industry where incumbent manufacturers struggle to integrate complex digital services.
Software delays hampering Volkswagen AG’s EV rollout overthrew its CEO last year. Drivers battling screen freezes and over-the-air update patches are helping Volkswagen lose market share in China, its biggest market. Mercedes-Benz AG last year recalled 9,100 of his flagship electric EQS sedans in the US to fix a software error that risks disabling rear turn signals.
BMW has adopted i Vision Dee, which has a retro look reminiscent of 1960s sedans, and developers have a better understanding of adding digital functionality.
Since 2019, BMW has wirelessly updated a wide range of car software, including infotainment and safety features. More than 3.8 million BMW vehicles now receive regular over-the-air updates.
BMW’s head of development, Frank Weber, said in a statement:
Once in the car, drivers can choose five levels of information to display, from basic information like speed to augmented reality with navigation cues projected on the road. Short social media messages may appear next to you while you’re driving.
A BMW version of Amazon’s Alexa named Dee aims to provide additional assistance. When the driver approaches the vehicle, Dee can register her identity, automatically open the doors, and express her moods such as joy and amazement with visual cues in her grille and headlights.
Having all the information displayed on the windshield helps minimize distractions, Zipse said.
BMW, which is working on a new software-driven vehicle platform slated for 2025, said a head-up display across the windshield will be on new models built on the ‘Neue Klasse’ foundation.