First unveiled at CES 2016 in Las Vegas, the BMW Group is using the i Vision Future Interaction to show what the user interface of the future might look like, including support from high-resolution vehicle displays where the content responds to the situation. In order to make the interaction of the passengers with the vehicle as intuitive as possible, all functions are controlled using touch-sensitive surfaces, gestures and voice.
The i Vision Future Interaction is based on the i8 Concept Spyder. The cockpit has a thoroughbred, sporty and flexible profile. On the one hand, it supports the driver in manual driving mode with a clearly defined focus. On the other hand, when the vehicle is in its highly automated mode, the interior provides an opportunity to relax in the innovatively designed seats and to make proactive use of the time gained through the expanded content available on the central information display.
Just as the vehicle adjusts automatically to its drive mode and the surrounding environment, the digital content is optimally presented at any given time. Drivers look at data such as the charge status of the vehicle’s batteries or the routes offered before commencing the journey on their smartphone, smartwatch or Mobility Mirror. These are then automatically transferred to the appropriate menus, map displays and driver information on the panorama display in the cabin. The transition from mobile device to display in the vehicle takes place seamlessly.
The i Vision Future Interaction has a head-up display, an instrument cluster with three-dimensional display, and a 21-inch panorama display which extends over almost the entire passenger side.
The driver receives key drive information on the high-resolution HUD, which provides the most important data such as speed, speed limits or navigation information within the field of vision on the front windscreen. The instrument cluster is located directly behind the steering wheel and information is shown there in three-dimensional display.
The central panorama display is the car’s most striking interaction element. It extends from the centre console across the entire passenger side and appears to flow harmoniously out of the dashboard panel.
The display height of 11 centimetres means that the dashboard panel is not higher than in the production i8 and it permits an optimum view to the front of the vehicle. The high-resolution panorama display in the i Vision Future Interaction is almost 40 centimetres wide, while the screen diagonal is 21 inches.
The development engineers are using new human-machine interfaces to control and select the content on the large panorama display, and this offers a large number of new options for interaction. One of them is AirTouch – gesture control for all communication, information and entertainment functions in the vehicle. It allows the big screen to be operated like a touchscreen – without actually having to touch it. 
