BMW reveals HoloActive holographic interior concept for CES ~ station of gear

Futuristic cockpit uses HUD technology to create holographic displays, complete with haptic feedback.

2016-12-15 12:50

BMW has revealed its plans for the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in January - a futuristic concept cockpit building on the AirTouch gesture control tech showcased at CES the same time last year.

The HoloActive Touch system is a new infotainment interface coupling the advanced gesture control technology of last year’s concept with a pair of virtual touchscreens – free-floating displays using reflections to create the illusion of being holographic. It’s similar to the technology behind windscreen head-up-displays, but the information spills out of the screen on the centre console and is right at the driver’s fingertips.

• BMW i8 Roadster previewed at CES 2016

All of the functions displayed on the screens can be controlled with no physical contact whatsoever – a camera tracks the driver’s hand, registering the position of the fingertip and detecting when it comes into contact with one of the holographic projections.

The driver should also experience “tactile feedback” when scrolling through the virtual menus, but BMW has not yet explained how this works and is saving this aspect of HoloActive Touch for CES.

It’s a glimpse into the future for sure, and a future that may not be too far off. In 2015, BMW debuted the gesture control technology now available in the latest 7 Series and 5 Series models, setting a precedent that the technology usually on show is destined for future production.

HoloActive Touch will form the centrepiece of BMW’s theme for CES. It’s part of the BMW i Inside Future study, which will showcase “the mobility experience set to be offered by seamlessly connected and autonomously-driving cars in the future”. The show kicks off on 3 January.

Read everything we know about the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show here.

James Brodie

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